[국제]Fukushima earthquake on the third day… fear of additional damage due to strong rain

[앵커]

After the earthquake of magnitude 7.3 off the coast of Fukushima, Japan has been experiencing large and small aftershocks.

As experts observe that an aftershock of this magnitude could occur again within the next week, tensions are growing.

Find out the situation in Japan. Correspondent Lee Kyung-ah!

It is the third day after the earthquake, what is the local situation?

[기자]

Strong rain is falling in Tokyo right now.

Even in Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures where earthquake damage occurred, it is also raining with strong winds.

The ground, etc. weakened by the earthquake may collapse, causing further damage.

In the local area, the self-defense forces and others have been dispatched to the site since yesterday to carry out restoration work.

Due to the earthquake, the outer roads were cut off in some areas due to landslides, but the damage to the downtown area was relatively low.

Japanese Prime Minister Suga attended the House of Representatives this morning and said that there are currently 12 seriously identified and 141 minor.

According to a survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, damage occurred in Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures, including about 300 schools being broken by windows.

Of these, about 70 places with the greatest damage were temporarily closed.

Fukushima J Village is scheduled as the starting point for the Tokyo Olympic torch on the 25th of next month.

According to Kyodo News, earthquake damage occurred, including cracks in the lodgings here.

The aftermath of the strong earthquake hit this place, the symbol of the’Revival Olympics’, and the atmosphere of the Olympics that had already subsided was flooded with cold water.

The Japanese government said that more than 160 homes were damaged in the affected areas such as Fukushima and Miyagi Prefecture, and that 2,200 households were out of service.

It turns out that the damage was unexpectedly great.

The operator said that the telegraph pole of the railroad on which the Shinkansen runs is inclined or damaged, requiring maintenance for the next ten days.

During this period, Shinkansen trains traveling to and from the Tohoku area from all over the country are expected to be suspended.

[앵커]

It cannot but be a problem in the future.

You said an aftershock of a similar magnitude to that of the 13th could happen again within a week?

[기자]

After this earthquake, an aftershock of 5.2 magnitude occurred again yesterday afternoon off the coast of Fukushima.

After that, there have been dozens of aftershocks.

It is possible, but experts believe that a strong aftershock similar to this one, which was 7.3 in the next week, may come.

At an extraordinary meeting, the Japanese government’s Earthquake Investigation Committee called for a warning against a tsunami as well as a possible aftershock.

In the case of this earthquake, the epicenter was 55 km off Fukushima, so there was little damage from the tsunami.

After the earthquake on the night of the 13th, a tsunami of up to 20cm in height was observed in Miyagi Prefecture.

The committee warns that if an aftershock occurs in a shallower area, damage from a tsunami may occur.

In addition, some pointed out that there is a concern that aftershocks may repeat over a long period of time off the coast of Fukushima.

A little earlier, at 1:28 noon, an earthquake of magnitude 4.1 occurred in Wakayama in the Kansai region, not in the Fukushima region.

Although it does not appear to be directly related to this Fukushima earthquake, the unrest has not subsided due to the earthquake that continues across the country.

This is YTN Lee Kyung-ah in Tokyo.

[저작권자(c) YTN & YTN plus 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]