SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – Officials said a 5.4 magnitude earthquake that was South Korea’s second-strongest in decades damaged infrastructure, injured dozens of people and left about 1,500 homeless.
No deaths have been reported since the quake rattled the southeastern coastal region around the port city of Pohang on Wednesday afternoon.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said as of Thursday morning, 1,536 people evacuated their homes and 57 people were injured. The ministry’s statement said the quake destroyed or damaged more than 1,000 houses and dozens of other buildings and cars.
Debris from a collapsed wall is scattered in front of a kindergarten after an earthquake in Pohang, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017. A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck off South Korea’s southeastern coast Wednesday afternoon, but no casualties were immediately reported. (Kim Jun-beom/Yonhap via AP)
Cracks and other damage were found in military facilities, bridges, port facilities and water supply facilities.
It’s the second-strongest quake in South Korea since the country began monitoring in 1978. Last year, a 5.8 magnitude quake occurred near Gyeongju.
Debris from a collapsed wall is scattered in front of a shop after an earthquake in Pohang, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017. A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck off South Korea’s southeastern coast Wednesday afternoon, but no casualties were immediately reported. (Min Kyung-suck/Newsis via AP)
Students gather on playground after evacuating after an earthquake at Handong University in Pohang, South Korea, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017. A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck off South Korea’s southeastern coast Wednesday afternoon, but no casualties were immediately reported. (Kim Yong-tae/Yonhap via AP)
Debris from a collapsed wall that destroyed a vehicle is scattered in front of a kindergarten after an earthquake in Pohang, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017. A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck off South Korea’s southeastern coast Wednesday afternoon, but no casualties were immediately reported. (Kim Jun-beom/Yonhap via AP)
Debris from a collapsed building is scattered in front of a shopping center after an earthquake in Pohang, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017. The earthquake shook South Korea’s southeastern coastal region on Wednesday afternoon, but no casualties were immediately reported. (Park Jun/Newsis via AP)
CORRECTION CORRECTS MAGNITUDE: People gather outside after evacuating Ulsan City Hall after an earthquake in Ulsan, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017. A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck off South Korea’s southeastern coast Wednesday afternoon, but no casualties were immediately reported.(Lee Sang-hyun/Yonhap via AP)
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