Earthquake of magnitude 6 strikes Japan day after Taiwan disaster

Japan, Apr 4  : An earthquake of magnitude 6 struck off the east coast of Japan’s Honshu in the Fukushima region on Thursday, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said. This came a day after a strong earthquake of 7.4 magnitude hit Japan’s neighbouring country, Taiwan, killing nine people and injuring more than 1,000 others.

The EMSC said the earthquake was at a depth of 32 kilometres (19.88 miles).

The earthquake in Taiwan, which was the strongest in the island nation in 25 years, triggered a tsunami on Japan’s Yonaguni Island – lying on the east coast of Taiwan. However, no fresh tsunami warning has been sounded after Thursday’s earthquake in Japan, The Straits Times reported, citing the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

A video footage that has been shared widely on social media captured the earthquake striking Japan.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries after the earthquake, tremors of which were also felt in the capital Tokyo.

Tepco, the operator of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, said “no abnormalities” were detected at the venue or other places in the region, The Straits Times reported.

After the Taiwan earthquake on Wednesday, authorities in Japan said a tsunami wave measuring about 1 foot was detected on Yonaguni Island about 15 minutes after the jolts. The JMA had warned that tsunami waves of up to 3 metres were expected to reach the country’s southwestern coast.

According to the JMA, this was the first tsunami warning in Okinawa in 26 years, with the last one issued in 1998 after a 7.7 earthquake struck south of Ishigaki Island.

The earthquake in Taiwan on Wednesday centered off the rural and mountainous Hualien County just before 8 am (local time). Buildings shook violently in the capital Taipei, whereas in Hualien, they were inclined at severe angles and ground floors crushed. Nearly a dozen hotel workers have been located, while as many as 38 remain missing.

-PTI