HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

April 8, 2011. Aftershock kills two in Japan, prompts new fears for nuclear reactors

SOURCE: Altegrity Risk International

Two people were killed when a strong 7.1 magnitude aftershock ripped through northern Japan on April 7th, knocking out power to millions. Four million people were reportedly without power and two power plants knocked offline. Residents along the coast were told to evacuate as a tsunami warning was issued; a small wave hit the coast around 12:40am local time. The aftershock, which is the strongest to hit since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake on March 11th, was 25 miles deep.

The aftershock prompted new concerns for the Fukushima nuclear reactors, where seven workers were forced to evacuate. After midnight, power company officials said they did not recognize any new leaks and said that radiation levels remained steady. At the Onagawa Nuclear Plant and the Higashidori nuclear plant, the quake caused power outages that forced both onto emergency generators to keep fuel rods safe. At Onagawa, water from spent fuel rods actually spilled onto the floor but was contained.