7.4 magnitude earthquake in Japan: At least 4 dead, more than 100 injured

Powerful earthquake shook Japan, with the provisional toll of casualties talking about at least four dead and more than a hundred wounded. Tens of thousands of households were still without electricity this morning, eleven hours after 7.4 Richter.

Many transport links – roads, railways – were cut in half in the northeastern part of the archipelago.

Authorities and companies, from semiconductor manufacturers to large automakers, are still trying to assess the damage caused by 7.4 magnitude earthquake, which struck shortly before midnight on Wednesday (local time). Problems in supply chains will make things even worse internationally in the production of mobile phones, various types of electronic devices and cars.

The earthquake reminded many of the disaster of March 11, 2011 in the same area. Traffic on high-speed Xinxen trains has been suspended until recently, and at least one motorway has been closed for inspections.

Parts of the facades of buildings fell on streets, while in some areas the electricity supply remains cut off.

Some 24,270 households served by the Tohoku company continued to be without electricity in the morning, although the company assured that in most cases the electricity supply will be restored during the day.

THE Prime Minister Fumio Kishida informed, as broadcast by AMPE, that the people who lost their lives due to the strong seismic vibration have reached four while another 107 have been injured, several seriously. He also stressed that the authorities will remain vigilant for the next 48 to 72 hours for the possibility of strong aftershocks.