Quake hits Japan, killing 6

By Eric Talmadge  |   2008-6-15  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

A MAGNITUDE 7.2 earthquake ripped across the mountains and rice fields of northern Japan yesterday, killing at least six people as it sheared off hillsides, jolted buildings and shook nuclear power plants. At least 11 people were missing.

Military helicopters swarmed the quake zone 400 kilometers north of Tokyo, ferrying in supplies and flying the injured to hospitals. Officials said at least 144 people were injured, and landslides had trapped 100 bathers at a hot spring resort. Local media reports said the number of injuries exceeded 200.

At a nuclear power plant in Fukushima, the jolt splashed 20 liters of radioactive water from two pools storing spent fuel, but there was no leakage outside the plant, said Trade and Industry Ministry official Yoshinori Moriyama.

The force of the quake, which was followed by 153 aftershocks, buckled many roads, including one highway that was severed when a stretch of land collapsed, creating a cliffside. Electricity was cut to about 29,000 households, though service was mostly restored by last night.

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said the government was mobilizing troops, police and "everybody we possibly can" to find the missing and rescue and treat the injured. He ordered rescue workers to continue their efforts through the night.

"Our most important task is to save as many lives as possible, and we are doing the best we can," he said.

The six dead included a man who ran out of a building in fear and was hit by a passing truck, four people buried by landslides, and a construction worker hit by a falling rock at a dam, officials said.

The 8:43am quake was centered in the northern prefecture of Iwate, and was located about 8 kilometers underground. It was felt as far away as Tokyo.