A powerful magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck off Japan's Aomori coast late Monday, triggering mass evacuations and injuring at least 30 people. The tremor, which occurred at 11:24 PM local time, sent shockwaves through northern Honshu as residents scrambled to higher ground following tsunami warnings.
Immediate Aftermath
Local authorities mobilized emergency response teams after ordering more than 100,000 residents to evacuate across Aomori, Iwate, and Hokkaido prefectures. While no fatalities have been reported as of Tuesday morning, medical teams are treating injuries ranging from broken bones to shock-related conditions.
Ongoing Risks
Japan Meteorological Agency officials lifted tsunami advisories early Tuesday but cautioned about potential aftershocks exceeding magnitude-6.0 through December 16. "We urge residents to remain vigilant," warned agency seismologist Dr. Haruka Yamamoto during a press briefing.
Regional Impact
The quake temporarily halted Shinkansen services and caused localized power outages. International airports in Hakodate and Aomori reported minor structural damage but maintained normal operations. The disaster comes as Japan marks the 14th anniversary of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake reconstruction efforts.
