Quake toll reaches 7 as nuclear reactor leaks

[linkinlt]

Quake toll reaches 7 as nuclear reactor leaks

Posted 45 minutes ago

Authorities in Japan say the number of people killed in Monday's earthquake has risen to seven.

All of the six people killed died when their houses collapsed in the magnitude 6.8 earthquake, off the north-western coast of the main island of Honshu, near Niigata.

Japanese troops have been helping with rescue efforts. More than 700 people have been reported injured.

Smoke billowed for hours from a blaze at a nuclear power plant, one of the largest in the world, which supplies electricity to the Tokyo region.

A spokesman for the company operating the plant says water containing some radioactive materials leaked after the quake.

Major transport links in the surrounding area remain affected with only limited services on the high speed bullet train to and from Tokyo.

As many as 7,000 people are being accomodated in temporary shelters with many homes suffering damage in the quake.

Japan's Prime Minister has been touring the affected region this evening.

Mr Abe, dressed in a relief worker's uniform, headed to the scene by military helicopter, cutting short a campaign stop ahead of elections on July 29.

Mr Abe, who is struggling in opinion polls, said he gave instructions to his government that "all possible measures be taken to ensure the safety of residents, secure lifelines to them and relieve their anxieties."

- ABC/AFP

Tags: disasters-and-accidents, earthquake, japa

[th2mods]

its news.... dont reply just read