M7.5 quake in Japan injures 30, forces mass evacuations

A powerful magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Honshu, Japan, late Monday night, injuring at least 30 people and prompting evacuation orders for more than 100,000 residents. The quake, centered off Aomori Prefecture at a depth of 54 kilometers, triggered tsunami warnings for Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate, with waves up to 70 centimeters recorded before all alerts were lifted early Tuesday.

A nuclear waste facility in Aomori reported that over 100 liters of water overflowed from a spent-fuel pool due to the shaking, though officials said the leak remained contained and posed no safety risk. No abnormalities were detected at nearby nuclear power plants, and TEPCO temporarily halted the discharge of treated wastewater at Fukushima.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency warned of the possibility of stronger aftershocks in the coming days and urged residents in northern coastal regions to remain alert and follow official guidance.

Credit : CGTN