Tokyo, June 25: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale struck northeastern Japan on Thursday morning, injuring at least four people, according to local media reports. The tremors were felt across multiple areas, causing widespread panic among residents.
The earthquake, which occurred around 7:30 AM local time, was initially reported as a magnitude of 6.9 but was later revised to 7.2. The quake struck at a depth of approximately 40 kilometers near the eastern coast of Iwate Prefecture. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) recorded the intensity as ‘Upper 6’ in Hashikami Town and ‘Lower 6’ in Hachinohe City on Japan’s seven-level seismic scale.
According to the JMA, an ‘Upper 6’ intensity means it becomes nearly impossible for people to stand or walk without crawling. Most unsecured furniture shifts from its place, and various objects may fall during such tremors.
The earthquake’s effects were felt as far away as Hokkaido, Akita Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, Yamagata Prefecture, and Tokyo and its surrounding areas.
No tsunami warning was issued following the earthquake. However, residents in the affected regions have been advised to remain alert for potential aftershocks of similar intensity.
Plant operators reported no abnormalities at the Higashidori Nuclear Power Plant, Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant, Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, and Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant. The earthquake’s epicenter was located at 40.2 degrees north latitude and 142.3 degrees east longitude.
In a separate incident, two powerful earthquakes struck the South American country of Venezuela just minutes apart, with tremors felt in the capital, Caracas.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred at 2204 GMT on Wednesday night, followed by an even stronger tremor of 7.5 magnitude just one minute later. Both earthquakes struck near the coastal town of Morón, approximately 160 kilometers west of Caracas.
The shallow depth of only 10 kilometers for both quakes raised concerns about their potential destructive impact. Following the significant damage caused by these earthquakes, Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, declared a state of emergency in the country.
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