Alarm for strong earthquake in Japan, off Fukushima

The earthquake occurred about 40 miles off the coast, off the Fukushima region, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) had previously given a magnitude of 7.0 and a distance from the coast of 54 kilometers.

Fukushima was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011 which caused more than 18,000 deaths and disappearances and caused the nuclear accident at the power station in this city, with the destruction of its reactor.

Japanese authorities have yet to report any damage or casualties from Saturday’s quake, although the quake was noticeable. Later, there was a 4.7 magnitude aftershock, the same agency reported.

Local media reported power outages in large areas of the Tohoku region in the east of the country, reaching one million homes.

The operator Tepco, in charge of monitoring the Fukushima nuclear power plant, assured via Twitter that it was closely following the evolution of the situation.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga returned to his office to monitor control operations, and the Japanese government organized a coordination liaison with the affected region.

Japan is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most seismically active areas on the planet.