Violent earthquakes shake region near Japanese region hit by deadly January 1 disaster, but no tsunami

TOKYO (AP) — Strong earthquakes struck early Monday the Ishikawa region of north-central Japan, which was hit by the deadly Jan. 1 quake, but authorities said there was no had no risk of tsunami.

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the northern tip of the Noto Peninsula. A few minutes later, a 4.8 magnitude tremor occurred.

The agency said there was no risk of a tsunami from the two quakes. No damage or injuries were reported. Shinkansen super express trains and other rail services were temporarily suspended for safety checks, but most of them have resumed, according to West Japan Railway Co.

The Nuclear Regulatory Authority said no anomalies were found at two neighboring nuclear power plants. One of them, the Shika plant on the Noto Peninsula, suffered minor damage, although authorities said it did not affect the cooling functions of the two reactors. Hokuriku Electric Power Co. said there were no power outages.

Monday's tremors reignited fear among residents still struggling recovering from damage caused by the New Year's earthquake. NHK public television showed a number of people coming out of their homes and temporary shelters to see if there was further damage.

In the town of Wajima, one of the towns hardest hit by the New Year's quake, a hostel manager told NHK that he immediately hid under the reception desk when the first quake hit. hit Monday. Nothing fell to the ground or broke, but it reminded him of the shaking in January and made him worry that a big earthquake like that might occur even five months later.

On January 1, the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula killed 241 people. The damage remains and many residents have been evacuated.