At least 16 dead after second strong Japan earthquake

PanARMENIAN.Net - A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan early on Saturday, April 16, killing at least 16 people, injuring hundreds more and trapping people in collapsed buildings, barely a day after a quake killed nine people in the same region, Reuters reports.

Rescuers dug through the rubble of collapsed buildings and mud and debris on Saturday to try and reach those trapped, but continued aftershocks hindered rescue efforts and fueled fears of more powerful quakes.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said rescue efforts were critical with wet weather forecast overnight, which could further damage weakened buildings and cause landslides.

"Nothing is more important than human life and it's a race against time," Abe said at a government meeting after the disaster. "I want rescue activities to continue with the utmost effort."

The epicenter of the quake was near the city of Kumamoto on the southern island of Kyushu and measured at a shallow depth of 10 kms, the USGS said.

The quake triggered a tsunami advisory which was later lifted and no irregularities were reported at three nuclear power plants in the area, a senior government official said. People still reeling from Thursday's 6.4 shock poured onto the streets after the Saturday earthquake hit at 1:25 a.m. (1625 GMT).

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said nearly 80 people were believed trapped or buried in rubble. Extra troops would be sent to help, with up to 20,000 due by Sunday, as well as more police, firefighters and medics, he said.

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