Strong earthquake shook Fukushima, Japan

A strong earthquake of 6.4 Richter occurred in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan this morning, but did not pose a tsunami risk.

The earthquake occurred at 3h54 local time, injuring 7 people. The Fukushima I nuclear power plant, which had been destroyed by severe earthquakes and tsunamis in March, was not damaged, AFP said in a statement by Japan's national disaster management agency.

Floodwaters rise high above the bridge on a river
Fukushima Prefecture, Japan yesterday.Photo: AFP

In Hitachinaka city, a 60-year-old man was injured in his arm, because the earthquake knocked him from the bed to the ground. Two other elderly people were also injured because of falling in the surrounding areas.

The Japanese meteorological agency said the earthquake was actually the aftershock of a 9-magnitude earthquake in March.

The epicenter of the earthquake today in the Pacific Ocean, about 100 km south-east of Fukushima city, is 40 km deep. Japan lies on the intersection of four earth tectonic plates, bearing about 20% of earthquakes worldwide each year.

The terrifying earthquake on March 11 left more than 20,000 people dead and missing, leading to the world's most serious nuclear crisis since Chernobyl.

In the meantime, the Fukushima prefecture is also suffering a great flood. Heavy rain caused river water to overflow and cause one person to die.

In Northeast Asia, neighboring South Korea this week dealt with heavy rains that caused floods and landslides, leaving at least 53 people dead. Many streets of Seoul are also submerged in the water.