A magnitude 5.6 earthquake has hit east of the Ryukyu islands, Japan at 23:25 Dec 13, 2022.

On December 13 at around 23:25, a magnitude-5.6 offshore earthquake occurred east of the Ryukyu islands, with the epicenter located approximately 96 km (59 miles) south of Naze. The tremor took place at a depth of around 10 km (6 miles), and it’s likely that light-to-moderate shaking was felt near the epicenter as well as throughout the north and south Ryukyu islands. While there have been no initial reports of damage or casualties resulting from the earthquake, it may take some time for authorities to conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Nevertheless, significant damage is unlikely.

Minor disruptions to transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone are possible as officials may need to temporarily shut them down to check for damage. If no damage is found, service will likely resume quickly. There may also be utility outages, particularly near the earthquake’s epicenter. As a precautionary measure, it’s advisable to vacate multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. It’s also important to monitor and plan for aftershocks, as light aftershocks are expected to occur over the coming days.

No tsunami advisories have been issued in connection with the earthquake. However, it’s important to remain vigilant and aware of any updates or advisories from local authorities.

For more details or secure travel assistance, please contact our Secure Travel Desk at STOps@PIPM.ca or +1-416-937-1295 (Direct.)