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Quake Rocks Japan

Six killed, hundreds hurt; Kashiwazaki is hardest hit

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 16, 2007 8:09 AM CDT

(Newser) – A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Japan early Monday, killing six people, injuring hundreds, and causing a fire in a nuclear power plant. The quake hit Kashiwazaki the hardest—2,000 people were evacuated from the city. "I almost fainted by the fear of shaking," a shopkeeper there said.

The six who died were all in their 70s and 80s and were killed when buildings collapsed on them. Roads, bridge, and railways buckled and broke, and a ceiling collapsed in a gym where 200 people were gathered for a badminton tournament. Several smaller aftershocks also hit the area, and the Meteorological Agency warns that they may continue for a week.

[Images (7)]

[Videos (1)]

Children take shelter in a tent in Kashiwazaki city, Niigata Prefecture (State), Japan, Monday night, July 16, 2007. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Japan's northwest coast on Monday morning, killing... (Associated Press)

People hang out around destroyed house in Kashiwazaki city, Niigata Prefecture (State), Japan, Monday evening, July 16, 2007. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Japan's northwest coast on Monday, killing... (Associated Press)

A rescuer walks outside collapsed houses following a powerful quake that hit Japan's northwest coast in Kashiwazaki, Monday, July 16, 2007. A 6.7-magnitude earthquake rocked Japan's northwest coast on... (Associated Press)

A woman waits for a bus in front of homes damaged by Sunday's earthquake in Wajima, Japan, Monday, March 26, 2007. Another powerful quake struck northwestern Japan on Monday, killing six and injuring... (Associated Press)

Firemen investigate a house destroyed by an earthquake, in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture (state), northern Japan, Tuesday, March 27, 2007. Another quake Monday has killed six, and injured hundreds more... (Associated Press)

A woman carries out items from her home destroyed by Sunday's earthquake as an aftershock shook the area in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture (state), northern Japan, Tuesday, March 27, 2007. The quake early... (Associated Press)

Earthquake damage divides the floor of a building. (Shutterstock.com)

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Quake Rocks Japan