Fukushima Evacuated After Tsunami Alert — Memories of 2011 Quake Resurface

An 8.7-magnitude earthquake off Russia's far eastern coast early Wednesday triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including Japan- reigniting memories of the devastating 2011 disaster. As a precaution, all workers at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant were evacuated, according to a spokesperson from the plant's operator, TEPCO, who spoke to AFP.

"We have evacuated all workers and employees," the TEPCO spokeswoman confirmed, adding that there was "no abnormality" detected at the site following the alert. The powerful quake, which originated near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, stirred anxiety throughout northeast Japan - especially in Fukushima Prefecture, where scars from the 2011 catastrophe remain fresh.

In March 2011, a 9.0-magnitude undersea earthquake struck off Japan's northeast coast, triggering a massive tsunami that swept through towns, claimed over 18,000 lives, and severely damaged the Fukushima nuclear plant. The tsunami knocked out the plant's cooling systems, leading to one of the worst nuclear disasters since Chernobyl.

Wednesday's earthquake, though far from Japan's shores, revived fears among local residents and authorities alike. "The sound of the sirens and the word 'tsunami' take us right back to 2011," said a local official in Fukushima. Authorities responded swiftly, assuring the public that emergency protocols were being followed and all coastal nuclear facilities were under close surveillance.

The Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed that tsunami waves had reached parts of Hokkaido, and further waves were possible. While the full impact remains under assessment, the emotional toll is clear - Japan remains highly sensitive to any seismic activity, especially when it involves potential risks to nuclear infrastructure.

For now, TEPCO maintains that operations are stable, and monitoring is ongoing. But for Fukushima, the tremors on Wednesday (July 30) were more than physical - they were deeply psychological.