A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 struck eastern Japan on Sunday morning, causing injuries to over 20 people, primarily minor ones. The tremor, which occurred at a depth of 70 kilometres, rattled the Ibaraki prefecture and was felt across the greater Tokyo area. Authorities confirmed there was no threat of a tsunami following the seismic event.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported the earthquake’s epicentre in the southern Ibaraki prefecture. The U.S. Geological Survey registered a preliminary magnitude of 5.8 for the event. Prefectural officials confirmed that 23 individuals sustained injuries across four prefectures: nine in Saitama, nine in Kanagawa, four in Chiba, and one in Ibaraki. Most injuries were attributed to people falling or striking objects as they reacted to the unexpected shaking while sleeping.
In Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, a woman in her 80s reportedly suffered a serious hip injury after falling from her bed. The earthquake caused temporary disruptions to express train services connecting Tokyo and Narita Airport, as well as other local lines in the northeastern regions. However, East Japan Railway Company stated that Shinkansen bullet train operations remained unaffected.
Following the incident, the Japanese government established a task force to assess the extent of any potential damage caused by the earthquake. The seismic alert was activated on mobile phones across the affected areas, leading to significant shaking in Tokyo. Public broadcaster NHK showed images of seemingly normal traffic conditions on roads in cities such as Mito and Saitama.
An underground water pipe in Tokyo’s Koto ward ruptured, leading to a considerable road leakage that was later repaired. TEPCO Power Grid reported that approximately 460 homes in Tokyo experienced temporary blackouts, with power restoration completed by Sunday morning. The Nuclear Regulation Authority stated that no anomalies were reported from around a dozen nuclear power plants and facilities handling nuclear materials, indicating no immediate safety concerns at these critical sites.
The earthquake serves as a reminder of Japan’s vulnerability to seismic activity. In a separate incident last month, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, resulting in 38 fatalities and 364 injuries. That earthquake also led to the destruction of over 1,500 buildings and damage to nearly 20,000 others, highlighting the significant impact such events can have on infrastructure and daily life.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
