Agadir – A moderate earthquake struck eastern Japan early Sunday, injuring at least 37 people across five prefectures, including Tokyo, Japanese authorities said.
The earthquake hit at a depth of 70 kilometers in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), which initially measured the quake at magnitude 5.9. The US Geological Survey recorded a magnitude of 5.8.
Authorities reported 15 injuries in Tokyo, nine in Saitama, eight in Kanagawa, four in Chiba, and one in Ibaraki. Most of those injured suffered minor injuries after falling or striking furniture and doors while attempting to react to the sudden shaking.
The tremors reportedly lasted up to a minute in some areas and were felt shortly after earthquake early warning alerts were issued to mobile phones.
Authorities across the affected areas began assessing the extent of any injuries and property damage following the earthquake.
A water pipe also ruptured in the Kiyosumi area of Tokyo’s Koto Ward, although authorities had not immediately determined whether the damage was caused by the earthquake.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government immediately established a contact room at the Prime Minister’s Office Crisis Management Center to coordinate its response and assess the situation.
“Immediately after the earthquake, we established the Prime Minister’s Office Contact Room at the Crisis Management Center in the Prime Minister’s Office,” Takaichi said, adding that she had instructed officials to assess the extent of the damage and provide the public with timely and accurate information.
She also urged residents in areas that experienced strong shaking to remain alert for further seismic activity.
“To those in the areas where the shaking was strong, I ask that you continue to remain vigilant for the possibility of an earthquake of similar magnitude,” the prime minister said.
Authorities continued monitoring the situation and assessing possible damage in the hours following the earthquake.
AloJapan.com