Massive earthquake of 7.3 magnitude hits Japan triggering a tsunami advisory

March 16: A massive earthquake of 7.3 magnitude hit the coast of Fukushima in Northern Japan on Wednesday evening, triggering a tsunami advisory. The earthquake near Namie, Japan, was reported just before 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday, which is around midnight Thursday there. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake struck about 36 miles below the sea.

Around two million homes across nine prefectures, including Tokyo, are experiencing blackouts, TEPCO Power Grid reported. The Meteorological Agency advised residents to stay away from the coast and to watch out for possible landslides. More than 2.2 million homes were without electricity in 14 northeastern prefectures including the Tokyo region, serviced by TEPCO and another utility, Tohoku Electric Power Co., according to the companies.

めちゃくちゃ揺れてた！びっくり！

#地震 pic.twitter.com/6tmdjeD85L

— 銀河系(ぁ´･ω)(д･｀様) (@asm_of_a_galaxy) March 16, 2022

The region is part of northern Japan that was devastated by a deadly 9.0 quake and tsunami 11 years ago that also triggered nuclear plant meltdowns, spewing massive radiation that still makes some parts uninhabitable. More than 20,000 people were estimated to have died when the March 11, 2011, quake set off a tsunami that swept inland, destroying towns and causing meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.