An aftershock of the devastating earthquake in 2011 strikes Fukushima’s coastline
Last night, Tuesday at 05:59 local time, another earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck off the coast of Fukushima, the same place where the biggest earthquake in Japan’s history happened in 2011. Last night’s earthquake is said to be a late aftershock to the magnitude 9.0 earthquake 5 years ago, which led to tsunami waves of 30 meters in size and the destruction of the nuclear power plant Fukushima Dai-ichi dealing severe damage to nature and Fukushima’s ecosystem. To this day, the area around the power plant is polluted with nuclear radiation.
(photo: bbc.com)
The Japanese Meteorological Agency warned of possible large aftershocks that could be expected in the next few days. People in the region have been advised to stay safe and away from the coast for the rest of the week.
Tsunami warnings were issued for the Miyazaki and Fukushima area. At the Fukushima Dai-ni nuclear power plant, the pumps of reactor number 3 were stopped due to the earthquake but are already back in service and said to be functioning properly.
(photo: guardian.co.uk)
At this point, there are no reports of casualties, only minor injuries were suffered.
Flights from Sendai Airport have been cancelled for the rest of the week. Decommissioning and restoration work at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant, which was destroyed in the 2011 earthquake, have been stopped until the aftershock warnings have ceased.
If you’re happen to be in the Fukushima area, please be safe and connect to your loved ones as soon as possible to let them know you’re all right.
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