Report claims 7.3-magnitude Tokyo quake would kill 9,600

Tokyo, Apr 19 (ANI): Over 9 600 people would die and nearly 150 000 would be injured if a mega-quake struck Tokyo, according to a Japanese government projection.

The frightening simulation was released by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as Japan continue making efforts to rebuild its northeast coast that was devastated by a devastating 9.0-magnitude quake that unleashed a deadly tsunami in March 2011.

Tokyo was largely spared from the damage, which killed about 19 000 people and triggered the world's worst nuclear accident.

But the projection stated that a smaller 7.3-magnitude quake would leave about 9600 dead and 147 000 people with injuries, including 21 900 seriously, News24 reports.

"About 5.2 million people would be unable to go home owing to electricity and transportation damage while the temblor would flatten or seriously damage about 378000 buildings with about 188 000 structures burning to the ground," the report said.

"A huge tsunami would strike isolated Pacific Ocean islands several hundred kilometres outside Tokyo, which are considered part of the municipality, but was not likely to cause damage or fatalities in the metropolis itself," it added.

The government projection, however, did not mention fatalities and damage in outlying prefectures that make up Greater Tokyo, home to about 35.0 million people. (ANI)