At least 34 injured in M 7.5 quake in northeastern Japan

TOKYO, Dec 9 (KUNA) -- At least 34 people were injured when a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Japan late Monday night, with transport and water supplies disrupted, and authorities warned of the possibility of a stronger temblor, Kyodo News Agency reported Tuesday.
The injuries were reported in Hokkaido, and Aomori and Iwate prefectures, while dozens remained in evacuation centers, according to a Kyodo News tally.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake occurred at 11:15 p.m. (1415 GMT) at a depth of 54 kilometers off the eastern coast of Aomori Prefecture, about 600 kilometers north of Tokyo.
The agency revised the magnitude from an earlier reported 7.6 to 7.5.
Tsunami warnings for waves of up to three meters for coastal areas of Aomori, Hokkaido, Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, but were downgraded to advisories over three hours after the quake and lifted on Tuesday morning. The highest tsunami waves observed were 70 centimeters in Iwate.
The weather agency warned that Monday's quake could be followed by a temblor of similar or higher magnitude in the same area in the coming days.
In Tokyo, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called on people in the region to remain alert for information from local governments and the weather agency over the next week or so and to prepare for another possible quake, including by securing furniture.
"The government asks residents to continue social and economic activities while maintaining a readiness to evacuate immediately if any shaking is felt," Takaichi told reporters.
The government said around 1,360 homes in Aomori and Iwate prefectures were without water due to damaged pipes.
No abnormalities were reported at nuclear plants in Hokkaido or the northeastern prefectures of Aomori, Miyagi and Fukushima.
The quake logged upper-6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in parts of Aomori, a level at which it is impossible to remain standing or to move without crawling. (end) mk.gta