TOKYO, AP – A powerful earthquake measuring 7.3 magnitude struck Japan’s Fukushima coast on Wednesday evening. The earthquake plunged Tokyo into darkness and left more than 2 million people without power.
The quake is Not expectedTo cause a tsunami-like event in the Pacific.
This region is located in northern Japan and was devastated by a devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami 11 years back. It also caused nuclear plant meltdowns.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, the operator of Fukushima Daiichi’s nuclear plant, stated that workers were examining the site for possible damage.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the earthquake occurred at 11:36 p.m. at a depth 60 kilometers (36 mi) below the ocean.
The agency issued tsunami warnings for areas of Fukushima Prefectures and Miyagi. NHK national television reported that the tsunami may have reached some areas already.
Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force claimed it dispatched fighter planes from Hyakuri prefecture in Ibaraki prefecture to collect information and assess damage.
According to TEPCO’s website, more than 2 million homes in Tokyo were without electricity due to the earthquake. The earthquake rattled large parts of eastern Japan including Tokyo.
East Japan Railway Co. announced that most of its train services had been suspended due to safety checks.
Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister, told reporters that the government was still assessing the damage and promised to do all it could to rescue and assist.
Kishida tweeted, “Please first take actions to save your life.”
There are no immediate reports of casualties.