Moderate quake shakes Japan, injuring over 30 in Tokyo region

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 rattled eastern Japan early Sunday, injuring more than 30 people, primarily in the Tokyo region. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the epicenter was in southern Ibaraki prefecture at a depth of 70 kilometers, while the US Geological Survey measured it at 5.8.

Officials confirmed at least 37 injuries across five prefectures: 15 in Tokyo, nine in Saitama, eight in Kanagawa, four in Chiba, and one in Ibaraki. The majority of those hurt sustained minor injuries, such as falls or hitting furniture, as they were caught off guard while sleeping and reacted in panic. However, one woman in her 80s in Yokohama suffered a serious hip injury after falling from her bed.

“

Most of the injured were hurt when they fell down or hit themselves against furniture or doors as they were caught off guard by the quake while sleeping and got out of bed in a panic.

The temblor caused disruptions to express and local train services in the Tokyo and northeastern regions, though Shinkansen bullet trains operated normally. A water pipe ruptured underground in Tokyo's Koto ward, leading to flooding on a road, but repairs were completed. Authorities reported no anomalies at nuclear power plants. The government has established a task force to assess damage, and residents are advised to remain cautious of potential aftershocks.

“

He said he feared getting hit by merchandise that fell from shelves as the building shook.