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Written by Mari Yamaguchi, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Wednesday, 23 July 2008 |
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TOKYO - A powerful earthquake has struck off the northern Japanese coast, injuring at least 91 people, triggering landslides and cutting power to thousands of people.
Japan's Meteorological Agency said there was no danger of a tsunami from the tremor, which had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8. It struck shortly after midnight about 100 kilometres underground and centred just off the coast of Iwate.
The 91 people who were injured were mainly suffering from cuts and bruises from broken glasses and falling objects.
None of the injuries was life threatening.
The earthquake caused strong shaking of up to 40 seconds in large parts of northern Japan.
"Everything has fallen off the shelves, scattered all over the floor," grocery store owner Tomio Kudo told national broadcaster NHK from the town of Hirono, where the shaking was most violent.
"Even a big refrigerator has moved about 30 centimetres."
There were no immediate reports of any problems at the nearest nuclear power plant, which continued operations, according to local media reports.
However, Japan's high-speed "bullet" super-express trains were suspended in some areas.
The earthquake also triggered landslides at several areas.
Disaster Minister Shinya Izumi told reporters that the earthquake caused a blackout in wide areas in the region, leaving about 6,700 homes without electricity.
Izumi said a team of officials from the ministry were assessing the extent of damage.
Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries.
A 6.8 magnitude earthquake is capable of causing serious, widespread damage.
Last month, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck sparsely populated rural areas in northern Japan, killing at least 12 people, leaving 10 others missing and injuring more than 300.
Meteorological Agency official Takashi Yokota warned of possible aftershocks from Thursday's quake.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 September 2008 )
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