23,000 people die if the 7.3-magnitude earthquake in Tokyo

At least 23,000 people will be killed and economic losses could amount to 95.3 trillion yen if a 7.3-magnitude earthquake occurs just below Japan's Tokyo metropolitan area.

This is a forecast made by the Japanese Government in a report published on December 19.

In a report prepared by the Central Disaster Prevention Council, the number of people killed above doubled the predicted figure this council made in 2005 after assessing the severity of damage caused by fires were caused in the area around Tokyo commercial district - where most people live in wooden houses.

Police search for missing victims after the earthquake on Japan's Oshima island on October 18.(Source: AFP / VNA)

According to the report, if there is a magnitude 8 earthquake in Tokyo with the epicenter of Sagami Bay, off Kanagawa Prefecture, the number of people killed could be as high as 70,000.

If so, the competitiveness of Japan in the international arena will be reduced due to confusion of supply chains and networks, affecting economic activities at home and abroad, production activities stalled for a while. long time.

Meanwhile, experts say the probability of a strong earthquake of 7 or more Richter levels in the Tokyo metropolitan area in the next 30 years is 70%.

The number of people killed will increase if the earthquake in Tokyo and the surrounding area on a winter evening has a wind speed of 28.8 km / hour, which could cause collapse or destruction of about 610,000 houses and buildings in the area. this area; 7.2 million people will have to evacuate; chaotic traffic activity lasts for several days after the earthquake; Railway service may be stalled for a month; Thermal power plants stop operating causing widespread power outages.

Based on these latest predictions, the Japanese government intends to adjust its disaster prevention plan in March 2014 so that Tokyo can maintain its core functions in an emergency.