Father Instinctively Shields Toddler as Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Jolts Japan

A father instinctively threw his body over his sleeping toddler to protect him as a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck southern Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan around 2 a.m. local time. Security camera footage captured the father suddenly waking up as the room began shaking. He immediately moved toward his child and shielded him with his body, appearing to protect the toddler from falling objects or debris. The father later explained that his wife had previously told him to protect their child during an earthquake, a reminder that kicked in almost instantly when the shaking began. The family had also been preparing for emergencies, keeping supplies including portable power equipment and enough food for about a week. Video Credit: @aseetsu