September 12, 2016 Earthquake: Gyeongju, South Korea

Felt (VI) at Yeonil; (V) at Cheongju, Chinhae, Daegu, Kyongju, Pohang, Ulsan, Waegwan, Yangsan and Yongch'on; (IV) at Busan, Daejeon, Gijang, Gyeongsan, Hwawon, Kimhae and Ocheon. Felt throughout South Korea. Also felt at Fukuoka, Kure and Sasebo, Japan. Recorded (3 JMA) on Tsushima. An'gang, Kyŏngsangbuk, Korea (South) - CDI: 8 Chinyeong, Kyŏngsangnam, Korea (South) - CDI: 6 Yeonil, Kyŏngsangbuk, Korea (South) - CDI: 6 Chochiwon, Chungchŏngnam, Korea (South) - CDI: 5 Hokō, Kyŏngsangbuk, Korea (South) - CDI:5 (reference #13456)

Two earthquakes that jolted South Korea on Monday night, including the largest ever recorded in the country, prompted concerns about the safety of nuclear plants clustered in the quake-prone southeast. Korea's Meteorological Agency said the two earthquakes, of magnitude of 5.1 and 5.8, occurred near the city of Gyeongju. They could be felt in the capital Seoul, over 300 km (186 miles) to the northwest. Fourteen people were injured but there were no reports of serious damage, a Ministry of Public Safety and Security official said. Nonetheless, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co shut down four nuclear reactors at the Wolsong complex in Gyeongju as a precaution. (reference #11606)

In terms of property damage, at least 253 cases have been reported so far, including 106 buildings developing cracks, 16 burst water pipes, 66 damaged roofs, five rockslides and 60 broken signboards. Local authorities said national railroads, subways, dams and reservoirs weren't affected. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Corporation, operator of the country's nuclear plants, said none of its reactors have been affected, but the Wolseong reactors No. 1 through 4, which are nearest to the epicenter, would be temporarily shut down. It was the first time in Korea that a nuclear power plant has been suspended due to an earthquake. (reference #11608)

Around 1 a.m. last night, two railway repair workers on duty near the Gimcheon Gumi station of the KTX high speed train died being hit by the train. The workers were not informed of the delay of the train, which was not supposed to be passing the section at the time, with regard to the earthquakes. This could be seen as a result of a loophole in the post-disaster coordination system. (reference #11607)

The Cultural Heritage Administration, which is in charge of preserving the country's cultural sites, announced Sunday that some 60 cultural assets have been damaged. (reference #11605)

21,000,000 USD in damages (reference #1250)