5.9 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Tokyo, Injuring At Least 37 People
Thestandard · 3 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck near Tokyo early Sunday, injuring at least 37 people across five prefectures in the region. The quake, which struck the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture at 2:00am local time (1700 GMT Saturday), caused violent shaking that prompted emergency alerts on smartphones and public announcement systems throughout the megacity .
Key Points
- The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the quake's epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture with a depth of 70 kilometers (42 miles), while the US Geological Survey recorded a magnitude of 5.8
- At least 37 people suffered injuries across five prefectures: 15 in Tokyo, nine in Saitama, eight in Kanagawa, four in Chiba and one in Ibaraki, according to prefectural officials and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency
- A woman in her 80s in Yokohama fell off her bed during the quake and suffered a serious hip injury, the most severe case reported
- East Japan Railway Company reported delays to express trains serving Tokyo and Narita Airport, while Shinkansen bullet trains continued normal operations
- An underground water pipe ruptured in Tokyo's eastern ward of Koto, with water pouring onto the road, and authorities are investigating whether the rupture was related to the quake
Why It Matters
The earthquake struck during the overnight hours when most residents were asleep, catching many off guard and resulting in injuries from falls and collisions with furniture . Japanese authorities have warned of an increased risk of landslides in areas that experienced heavy rainfall on Saturday, and have urged residents to remain vigilant against possible aftershocks for approximately a week .
The earthquake struck during the overnight hours when most residents were asleep, catching many off guard and resulting in injuries from falls and collisions with furniture . Japanese authorities have warned of an increased risk of landslides in areas that experienced heavy rainfall on Saturday, and have urged residents to remain vigilant against possible aftershocks for approximately a week .