91 injured in Japan earthquake
TOKYO (AP) - July 23, 2008 apan's Meteorological Agency said there was no danger of a
tsunami from the temblor, which had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8.
It struck shortly after midnight about 65 miles underground and
centered just off the coast of Iwate, 280 miles northeast of Tokyo.
At least 99 people were injured, mainly cuts and bruises from
broken glasses and falling objects, said National Police Agency
official on condition of anonymity, citing department policy. No
one had life threatening injuries.
The earthquake caused strong shaking of up to 40 seconds in
large parts of northern Japan, official said.
"Everything has fallen off the shelves, scattered all over the
floor," grocery store owner Tomio Kudo told national broadcaster
NHK from the town of Hirono, where the shaking was most violent.
"Even a big refrigerator has moved about 30 centimeters (1
foot)."
Several nuclear power plants in the region continued operations
after inspection by plant workers found no problems, the Ministry
of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a statement.
The quake caused a blackout at more than 8,000 homes, it said.
Japan's "bullet" super-express trains were suspended in some
areas, according to operator East Japan Railway Co.
The earthquake also triggered landslides at several locations,
the police agency official said. Details were not immediately
available.
Relief workers and local officials hit the streets to take a
closer look to the affected areas in daylight Thursday. A team of
government officials headed by Disaster Minister Shinya Izumi also
arrived in Iwate.
"We must grasp the extent of damage as quickly as possible so
that we can immediately take necessary steps," Prime Minister
Yasuo Fukuda told reporters.
Police said some of the more serious injuries included a woman
in Hirono who broke a leg falling down stairs and another woman in
Aomori city who broke her hip fleeing out a window.
Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries.
A 6.8 magnitude earthquake is capable of causing serious,
widespread damage. Last month, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck
sparsely populated rural areas in northern Japan, killing at least
12 people, leaving 10 others missing and injuring more than 300.
Meteorological Agency official Takashi Yokota warned of possible
aftershocks from Thursday's quake.