Japan: Earthquake, 800 people were injured

This morning (July 16), a strong earthquake in northwestern Japan killed at least 7 people and injured more than 800 people, destroyed many homes and caused a fire at a nuclear power plant. .

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the magnitude 6.6 initially magnified, off the coast of Niigata, about 260 km northwest of Tokyo. The tsunami warning was issued but was removed later. According to the report, the earthquake caused many waves of 50 cm high.

In the city of Kashiwazaki in Niigata, three houses collapsed due to the earthquake. Police are looking for people who are trapped. Many trains connecting Tokyo and the northern provinces of Japan have been temporarily suspended. According to NHK, the gas supply service for 35,000 households in Kashiwazaki was interrupted after a gas leak was reported. At Niigata airport, many flights were delayed due to the earthquake. Activities at the airport were then resumed.

The tremor also shook many buildings in Tokyo. Hospital officials said three elderly women in Kashiwazaki were killed. According to NHK television, more than 500 people were injured, most of them broke their bones, scratched .

A house collapsed due to the earthquake in Kashiwazaki morning July 16 (Photo: Reuters)

At the Kashiwazaki nuclear power plant, a fire was reported in the electricity supply area. According to NHK TV channel, black smoke billowed from the fire area. Authorities said the plant was automatically deactivated and there was no danger of radiation.

According to Kyodo news agency, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is in Nagasaki during the southern election campaign, will return to Tokyo to resolve the aftermath of the earthquake.

In October 2004, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Niigata killing 65 people, injuring more than 3,000 people and destroying more than 6,000 homes. Previously, in 1995, another 7.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in Kobe killing more than 6,400 people.

People stand near a house destroyed by the earthquake this morning at Kashiwazaki (Photo: AP)

National highway in Nagaoka was broken after the earthquake this morning (Photo: AP)

The rescue team is helping people overcome the consequences of earthquakes (Photo: AP)

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