Powerful earthquake rocks Japan, triggers landslides, power outage; two killed, many injured and missing
Tokyo, Sept 6 (IBNS) : A strong earthquake, measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale rocked Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido on early Thursday, triggering a series of landslides and left at least two dead, 125 injured and many missing.
Media reports quoted quoted a Japanese government spokesman as having confirmed the death of two persons after a powerful earthquake rocked Hokkaido.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the search was ongoing for those missing after the quake triggered dozens of landslides in the mountainous region near the epicenter.
The quake also knocked out power across the northern island. It triggered a dozen of landslides.
The Japanese national broadcaster NHK, citing its own tally, reported that 125 people were injured and about 20 were feared missing.
Hokkaido's local disaster agency put the number of injured at 48.
Several people were reported missing in the nearby town of Atsuma, where a massive landslide engulfed homes.
Reconstruction Minister Jiro Akama told reporters that five people were believed to be buried in the town's Yoshino district. Some of the 40 people stranded there were airlifted to safer grounds, NHK said.
Airports and many roads on the island were closed following the early morning quake.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that 25,000 troops and other personnel were being dispatched to the area to help with rescue operations.
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