World · India Bureau
Over 20 injured as magnitude 5.9 earthquake strikes eastern Japan
A moderate earthquake centred in Ibaraki prefecture rattled eastern Japan including the Tokyo region early Sunday, leaving more than 20 people injured. The Japan Meteorological Agency recorded a preliminary magnitude of 5.9, with no tsunami threat reported.
LSN India ·
The earthquake struck the southern part of Ibaraki prefecture at a depth of 70 kilometres in the early hours of Sunday, an area regularly affected by seismic activity. The US Geological Survey recorded a slightly lower preliminary magnitude of 5.8 for the same event.
Twenty-three people sustained injuries across four prefectures in the region, according to local officials. Saitama and Kanagawa each reported nine injuries, while Chiba recorded four and Ibaraki one. The majority of injuries were minor, sustained when residents fell or struck themselves against furniture and doors after being jolted awake by the tremor.
Most casualties occurred as people moved hurriedly from their beds in panic, officials said. However, one elderly woman in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, suffered a serious hip fracture after falling from her bed, according to local reports.
The Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed there was no danger of a tsunami following the earthquake. Eastern Japan experiences frequent seismic events due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.