Japan Hit by Deadly 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake, Killing Four and Wounding Hundreds

Eastern Japan was hit by a major 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday night, leaving four dead and hundreds injured.

According to CNN News, the earthquake struck off the coast of the Fukushima prefecture which had been previously wrecked 11 years ago by a catastrophic earthquake that culminated in the destruction of a nuclear power plant.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency announced that the earthquake had an initial epicenter depth of 60 kilometers with resulting tsunami heights reaching as much as 1 meter above normal tide levels. They also cautioned people residing in the affected region to keep off the shore since an 8-inch tsunami hit the coast of the Miyagi prefecture about half an hour after the earthquake struck. The agency also advised people to be on alert for further similar instances due to continuing seismic activity in the area.

Kyodo News reported that people wounded in the quake were given medical care at the hospital in Soma city.