Death Toll Rises After Powerful Earthquake in Japan

Authorities are investigating a new possible radioactive leak at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power plant plant.

A road caved-in near Ojiya city. Photo courtesy: cfh.ca

(KASHIWAZAKI, Japan) - At least ten people have died and more than 1,000 others were injured when a powerful earthquake struck the north-west coast of Japan Monday morning, sparking a blaze at the world's biggest nuclear power station and flattening dozens of buildings.

The quake, measured 6.8 on the Richter scale, and rocked towns in Niigata prefecture on the Japan Sea coast at 10:13 AM, triggering a tsunami warning that was later lifted, reports said.

On Sunday, Japan began cleaning up after being battered for three days by Typhoon Man-Yi, which caused three deaths, injured hundreds of people and disrupted air and rail transport.

Radioactive water leaked from a nuclear reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power plant in Niigata because of the earthquake, Tokyo Electric Power Co. told the Kyodo news service.

The leak occurred at the plant's No. 6 reactor, which had automatically shut down when the tremors began, the company said.

Authorities are investigating a new possible radioactive leak at the plant, the Kyodo News agency reported today.

Over 21,000 households in Niigata prefecture were without power, the Trade Ministry said in an e-mailed statement.

Reports out of Japan say over 13,000 people went to evacuation centers amid fears of mudslides and aftershocks.

Japan's weather agency has issued heavy rain, flooding and lightning warnings for the area today.

Supply of natural gas, a typical cooking fuel in Japan, was cut to 34,000 houses, the Trade Ministry said.

Powerful aftershocks followed the initial quake, with officials saying they expect further strong aftershocks in the coming week.