An earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale struck northern Japan yesterday, injuring at least 59 people and damaging hundreds of buildings.
The quake triggered a tsunami alert on Japan's north-eastern coast near the city of Sendai but the resulting waves caused no damage. High-rise buildings in Tokyo, almost 200 miles to the south, swayed for more than a minute.
Seventeen people were injured when the roof collapsed at an indoor swimming pool in Sendai.
"There was a tremendous boom," a young woman who was using the pool told the broadcaster NHK. "People were screaming and headed towards the exit. It shook a lot."
An 80-year-old woman was rescued after being trapped in the rubble of her home outside Tokyo and several people were injured by falling rocks and dislodged roof tiles.
The earthquake struck at 11.46 am. Its epicentre was about 80 miles off the coast, the meteorological agency said. The agency also warned of further aftershocks and earthquakes of up to magnitude six.
Earthquake Preparedness - Before, During, and After an Earthquake
The quake triggered a tsunami alert on Japan's north-eastern coast near the city of Sendai but the resulting waves caused no damage. High-rise buildings in Tokyo, almost 200 miles to the south, swayed for more than a minute.
Seventeen people were injured when the roof collapsed at an indoor swimming pool in Sendai.
"There was a tremendous boom," a young woman who was using the pool told the broadcaster NHK. "People were screaming and headed towards the exit. It shook a lot."
An 80-year-old woman was rescued after being trapped in the rubble of her home outside Tokyo and several people were injured by falling rocks and dislodged roof tiles.
The earthquake struck at 11.46 am. Its epicentre was about 80 miles off the coast, the meteorological agency said. The agency also warned of further aftershocks and earthquakes of up to magnitude six.
Earthquake Preparedness - Before, During, and After an Earthquake
