Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Fukushima earthquake: Japan hit by 6.2-magnitude tremor

Massive earthquake in same prefecture in 2011 triggered nuclear accident

Olivia Alabaster
Sunday 04 August 2019 07:44 EDT
Comments
Fukushima earthquake: Japan hit by 6.2-magnitude tremor

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake has hit off Fukushima in Japan.

It was also felt in the capital Tokyo, some 250km away.

The epicentre of the earthquake, which struck at 7.23pm local time, was off the coast of Fukushima prefecture and measured at a depth of 50km, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

There were no were immediate reports of damage, and no tsunami alert was issued.

Public broadcaster NHK TV reported that utility companies were checking on the nuclear reactors in the area.

In 2011, a massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami triggered a nuclear accident in Fukushima.

At least 15,000 people were killed in that earthquake and tsunami, and the nuclear disaster was the worst since the 1986 Chernobyl reactor disaster.

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

With agencies

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in