Three Dead in Japan's Latest 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake

This article reported at 6:16 AM ET 4/8/11 by RTTNews:

At least three people are known to have died in the 7.1-magnitude earthquake which jolted northeast Japan on Thursday, reports said.

The off-shore temblor struck shortly before midnight at a depth of 49 kilometers and its epicenter was quite close to the 9-magnitude quake that devastated the region on March 11. Following this Japanese authorities issued a tsunami warning which has since been lifted.

The aftershock was the most powerful yet to hit Japan since last month's deadly quake and tsunami.

The deaths were reported from Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures and the victims were two elderly men and a woman. The 63-year- old woman died when the quake toppled powerlines shutting off her respirator while the men died in hospital from heart attacks probably caused by shock.

Meanwhile, the Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant in Miyagi prefecture run by Tohoku Electric Power Co (TEPCO) reported water spills and water leaks in the wake of Thursday's quake. TEPCO said water leaks had been detected at five locations in the plant.

A report by public broadcaster NHK said blowout panels for controlling pressure inside the buildings housing reactor 3 had been damaged. Also, two of its three external power connections were lost in the quake's aftermath, temporarily causing the cooling system for pools holding spent fuel-rods to stop functioning.

Japanese government put the death toll in last month's devastating quake and tsunami at over 12,000 while some 15,000 people have been listed as missing.

by RTT Staff Writer

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