Trains stopped, dozens injured as Japan cleans up after strong earthquake in Fukushima



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IWAKI, Japan: More than 100 people were injured and trains stopped across a wide swath of northeastern Japan on Sunday (February 14) after the region was rocked by a major earthquake in the same area as the Fukushima earthquake. which caused a tsunami almost 10 years ago.

The magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck shortly before midnight Saturday, cracking walls, breaking windows and causing a landslide in Fukushima, the area closest to the epicenter.

Aftermath of the earthquake in Fukushima prefecture, Japan

The collapsed outer wall of a building caused by a strong earthquake is seen on the street in Iwaki, Fukushima prefecture, Japan, February 14, 2021. REUTERS / Issei Kato

The earthquake shook buildings in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, hundreds of kilometers away.

Although hundreds of thousands of buildings were without power just after the earthquake, which struck at 11:08 pm (10:08 pm Singapore time), power was restored to most by the next morning.

READ: Strong earthquake hits the coast of Japan, causing blackouts

However, several thousand homes remained without water and residents lined up with plastic jugs to get water from trucks.

At least 104 people were injured, NHK national television said, including several who suffered fractures, but no deaths were reported.

Aftermath of the earthquake in Fukushima prefecture, Japan

A library staff member tries to restore books after they fell from book shelves in a strong earthquake at the Iwaki City Library in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan on February 14, 2021. REUTERS / Issei Kato

Aftermath of the earthquake in Fukushima prefecture, Japan

Hidenori Yahiro, 56, a bar owner, cleans broken bottles and glasses in his bar after a strong earthquake in Iwaki, Fukushima prefecture, Japan, on February 14, 2021. REUTERS / Issei Kato

There were no tsunami or reports of irregularities at any nuclear power plant, but the earthquake revived memories of the massive earthquake on March 11, 2011 that triggered a massive tsunami that triggered the world’s worst nuclear crisis in 25 years and killed nearly 20,000 people.

Shinkansen bullet train service to much of northern Japan was suspended due to track damage. Service on one line was not expected to be restored until at least Tuesday.

Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the most seismically active areas in the world. Japan accounts for about 20 percent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.

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