Asia hit by two strong earthquakes

Two powerful earthquakes have rocked Asia, one of them near the Andaman Islands east of India, the other in Japan. With a magnitude of at least 6.4, this was the second strong tremor to hit Japan in as many days. There were no immediate reports of serious damage although around 40 people suffered minor injuries. A small tsunami was reported near the epicentre in the Pacific Ocean off Shizuoka prefecture in Honshu island.

Separately, a 7.6 magnitude quake struck off the Andaman Islands. Again, no serious injuries or damage were reported and a tsunami alert for India, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand and Bangladesh was soon cancelled.

The Japanese quake was felt in Tokyo, shaking buildings in and around the capital. Transport was disrupted and a nuclear plant closed for safety checks.

The earthquake happened as a typhoon was approaching. Storms have been battering the Far East. Taiwan has been worst affected with fears a mudslide may have left hundreds of people dead.

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tags: Earthquakes, Japan, Natural disasters