Tokyo, August 1: A powerful earthquake shook northern Japan once again. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that a 5.8 magnitude quake occurred in Aomori Prefecture on Saturday.
The earthquake struck at a depth of 80 kilometers off the Pacific coast of Aomori at 11:48 AM local time. According to Xinhua News Agency, the epicenter was located at 41.3 degrees north latitude and 142.0 degrees east longitude. Currently, no tsunami advisory has been issued.
This tremor followed a significant earthquake that hit Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday at around 4:27 PM local time.
On Tuesday, a devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto, resulting in over 170 aftershocks recorded by Wednesday morning. The disaster has confirmed multiple fatalities and numerous injuries. Bridges collapsed, and several buildings were damaged.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has warned residents to remain vigilant for the next week. According to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, an agency official stated that the next two to three days are particularly sensitive, with potential for further earthquakes reaching a maximum of 7 on the Shindo scale.
Experts have urged rescue workers to take regular breaks amid the intense heat to avoid heatstroke and other heat-related issues.
The earthquake in Kumamoto, recorded at a Shindo level of 7, is the highest on this scale. The last earthquake of such intensity occurred on January 1, 2024, in the Noto Peninsula.
The death toll from the recent quake has risen to 35. However, investigations are ongoing to determine whether these fatalities are directly linked to the 7.1 magnitude quake. According to the Prefectural Disaster Response Headquarters, nine cases are still under investigation.
During a disaster response meeting on Thursday afternoon, officials from the Kumamoto Prefecture government confirmed that 35 deaths have been reported, with investigations into nine of these cases still ongoing.
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KK/AS
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