Japanese Authorities: Aftershock Kills 3, Injures Over 140 People

No injuries or deaths in Thursday’s powerful aftershock in northeast Japan were initially reported, but on Friday Japanese authorities blamed the tremor for 3 deaths and more than 140 injuries. The 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck around 11:30 p.m. about 41 miles from Sendai. It sparked tsunami warnings and advisories for areas already devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The Japanese Meteorological Agency warned of waves as high as 6.6 feet in Miyagi Prefecture. Residents were urged to evacuate to high ground immediately. Advisories were issued for the prefectures of Aomori, Iwate, Fukushima and Ibaraki. The agency estimated 2 foot waves for those areas. The warnings and advisories were lifted about 90 minutes after the earthquake struck.

Authorities say the dead included a 79-year-old man who died while on the way to a hospital, an 85-year-old man who collapsed on the way to a shelter and a 63-year-old woman whose oxygen stopped during a power outage. Damage to roads and several houses was also reported.

###

Click here for more World News