Japan hit by earthquake off coast of Fukushima

March 17, 2022 At 23:36 (14:36 ) on Wednesday, an earthquake measuring 7.3 on the  struck off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.

A train was derailed but no resulting injuries were reported, according to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Elsewhere, injured people were taken to hospital in for treatment, where local media reported one man had died.

Power outages were temporarily seen as far away as Tokyo, where an estimated 700 thousand people lost electricity before the Tokyo Electric Power Company reported power had been restored.

The said a small tsunami was seen at the coast of  approximately one hour after the tremor. The agency has issued a tsunami advisory, warning of water up to above normal tidal levels. People were urged to stay away from the coast until the end of the advisory.

The earthquake's epicenter was near that of the far more powerful 2011 Tōhoku earthquake which triggered a large tsunami and a at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Kishida said "no abnormalities" had been reported at any nuclear facility after the current event.