A 7.5-magnitude earthquake in Japan injures 51 people, with authorities warning a similarly large tremor is possible within the next week.
TOKYO: The number of people injured in a powerful earthquake off northern Japan has risen to 51.
The 7.5-magnitude tremor struck late Monday off the coast of Aomori prefecture, shaking buildings and damaging roads.
It also triggered tsunami waves up to 70 centimetres high along the coast.
Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed the updated injury toll on Wednesday.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a rare special advisory warning of another possible large quake.
It stated the likelihood of a similarly sized or larger earthquake has increased in the area for about a week.
“If a large-scale earthquake occurs in the future, there is a possibility of a massive tsunami reaching the area or experiencing strong shaking,” the agency said.
Local media reported the agency estimates the chance of another major tremor at approximately one in 100 over the next seven days.
The advisory covers the Sanriku area of Honshu island and the northern island of Hokkaido.
This is only the second time the agency has issued such a warning.
Its first was in August 2024 for southern Japan, warning of a potential “megaquake” along the Nankai Trough.
A government estimate suggests a quake in that trough could kill up to 298,000 people.
It could also cause up to USD 2 trillion in damages.
Geologists note that while larger quakes can follow, it is statistically rare.
“Instead, we must rely on historical statistics, which tell us that very few large earthquakes are soon followed by even larger events,” experts Kyle Bradley and Judith A. Hubbard said.
