Earthquakes in China & Japan: Magnitude 6.3 Quake Rocks Both Nations
Two earthquakes struck China and Japan respectively over the weekend, injuring hundreds in both countries. The earthquakes, both of similar magnitudes, struck remote areas in both countries, causing panic among the locals and prompting each nation’s respective government to send aid to the affected areas.
One earthquake struck in Sichuan province in southwestern China, according to Reuters. The 6.3 magnitude quake hit some 20 miles from the town of Kangding at 4:55 p.m. The China Earthquakes Network Center recorded the earthquake’s depth at around 11 miles.
The quake was strong enough to be felt at the provincial capital of Chengdu more than 200 miles away.
The Associated Press reports five people were killed, including an elderly woman who died after a pane of glass fell from a window and hit her. Fifty-four others were injured, including 42 students who were hurt during a stampede in Tagong town, China’s state news agency reported.
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake’s magnitude at 5.9. Though it hit a more secluded area of Sichuan province, the damage was nonetheless extensive, including 30 collapsed houses and around 2,630 other buildings that suffered extensive damage. The regional airport at Kangding also damaged, but flights continued as scheduled.
The Telegraph obtained CCTV footage of people running out of buildings when the earthquake struck.
Around 80,000 people have been affected by the seismic event and the Chinese government has allocated around $8 million to help the region.
Another earthquake struck Japan later on Saturday, according to The Associated Press. The 6.7 magnitude quake struck Nagano prefecture at around 10 p.m., near Nagano city. Hardest hit were the towns of Hakuba and Otari. Hakuba famously hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Around 39 people were injured in the region and 37 houses were destroyed. However, officials said there were no reported issues around the nuclear reactors, which have been idle since the disastrous 2011 earthquake.
Around 200 people, mostly from the aforementioned towns, were evacuated to shelters.
In a show of solidarity, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe traveled to the affected area on Monday. He surveyed damage as well as met with residents in shelters.
“The government will support the rebuilding of homes because it will get colder and colder from now,” he said in a press conference.
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