A 7.3 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Tohoku region, north east of Japan, at 23:36 local time (15:36 in Italy). The quake, which lasted several minutes, had its epicenter in the sea, off the prefectures of Miyagi and Fukushima, 60 kilometers deep, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The JMA has classified the intensity of the shock at 6 on the Japanese maximum measurement scale of 7 levels, issuing a tsunami warning in anticipation of waves one meter high.
Citizens were also advised to stay away from the coasts on the eastern side of the country. Subsequently, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center lifted the tsunami warning. According to NHK TV, waves 20 centimeters high have reached the coast in a limited area of the Japanese coast.
Ongoing checks on nuclear power plants
There are no reports of casualties after the earthquake. A high-speed ‘Shinkansen’ train derailed on the Tohoku line, which connects Tokyo and Aomori, but no one was injured. Local media reported this, stating that there were about 100 people on board. As a result of the earthquake, more than two million people were left without electricity, according to which blackouts also hit different parts of Tokyo.
The National Electricity Agency (Tepco) informs that in Fukushima at the moment no irregularities have been found in the Dai-ni nuclear power plant, while the Dai-ichi power plant – in the process of dismantling, the scene in 2011 of a serious nuclear accident caused by a tsunami – is still under control.