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The Moment A Powerful 7 Magnitude Earthquake Shook Japan Overnight

The Moment A Powerful 7 Magnitude Earthquake Shook Japan Overnight

The country was rocked by a 6.7 magnitude quake in the early hours of the morning

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Japan has been hit with a powerful 6.7 magnitude earthquake, leaving at least eight dead and 40 still missing.

The city of Hokkaido was left in darkness after the quake took out the power systems at around 3am this morning. Large-scale landslides hit the countryside completely engulfing houses.

According to the BBC, 40 people are still missing following the quake.

PA

Earlier this week Typhoon Jebi, the strongest storm in a quarter of a century, hit the west of the country killing at least 10 people.

Experts say there's no risk of tsunami following the quake but have warned of aftershocks.

Speaking to AFP, ToshiyukMatsumori from the meteorological agency said: "Large quakes often occur, especially within two to three days [of a big one].

"We urge residents to pay full attention to seismic activity and rainfall and not to go into dangerous areas."

Some aftershocks have already hit, with the city of Sapparo being shook shortly after. A local told AFP: "There was a sudden, extreme jolt. I felt it went sideways, not up-and-down, for about two to three minutes.

PA

"It stopped before shaking started again. I felt it come in two waves. I am 51, and I have never experienced anything like this. I thought my house was going to collapse. Everything inside my house was all jumbled up. I didn't have time to even start cleaning."

It's reported that over five million have been left with power and the region's nuclear plant, which wasn't operation, had to use its back-up power supply. Authorities have said there's 'no sign of abnormal radiation'.

Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko said it will take 'at least a week' for power to be fully restored.

The area's main airport is closed and all flights are cancelled after it was damaged in the quake, adding to the travel chaos which includes closed roads and the cancellation of bullet train services.

PA

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said around 25,000 troops will be mobilised and sent to the area to help with rescue operations in the area, telling journalists: "We will do our best to save lives."

Source: BBC

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: World News, Earthquake, Japan