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| Japan earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hits southern part of the country | Japan earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hits southern part of the country |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A powerful earthquake has struck southern Japan, causing casualties and collapsed buildings. | |
| According to Japan's Meteorological Agency, the quake hit at 9.26 pm and was centered seven miles east from the town of Mashiki in the Kumamoto prefecture. | |
| Initial reports placed the quake at a magnitude 6.4, but this was later downgraded to 6.2 by the US Geological Survey | |
| A number of "strong" aftershocks were reported. | |
| The Japanese Kyodo news agency reported that around 40 people were being treated at a hospital in Kumamoto city, some of them seriously injured. | |
| A fire also broke out in Mashiki, populated by around 34,000 people. NHK broadcaster showed footage of firefighters tackling a blaze at a building. | |
| Some people are also feared trapped under fallen structures. | |
| Other properties have been damaged, according to Japan's chief government spokesman Yoshihide Suga. | Other properties have been damaged, according to Japan's chief government spokesman Yoshihide Suga. |
| Officials have said there is no danger of a tsunami and confirmed the region's nuclear facilities have not been adversely affected by the tremors. | Officials have said there is no danger of a tsunami and confirmed the region's nuclear facilities have not been adversely affected by the tremors. |
| However, some power outages and water cuts have been reported in areas close to the epicenter. | However, some power outages and water cuts have been reported in areas close to the epicenter. |
| Images, not verified by The Independent, have been posted to social media apparently showing some of the damage: | Images, not verified by The Independent, have been posted to social media apparently showing some of the damage: |
| Images of the fires, seemingly taken from Japanese television, have also been posted to Twitter: | |
| "There was a ka-boom and the whole house violently shook sideways," said Takahiko Morita, a Mashiki resident, in an interview with Japan's NHK television. | "There was a ka-boom and the whole house violently shook sideways," said Takahiko Morita, a Mashiki resident, in an interview with Japan's NHK television. |
| "Furniture and bookshelves fell down, books were all over the floor." | "Furniture and bookshelves fell down, books were all over the floor." |
| Kasumi Nakamura, an official in the village of Nishihara close to the epicenter, said there was a rattling which started modestly and grew violent, lasting about 30 seconds. | Kasumi Nakamura, an official in the village of Nishihara close to the epicenter, said there was a rattling which started modestly and grew violent, lasting about 30 seconds. |
| "Papers, files, flower vases and everything fell on the floor," he said in a telephone interview with NHK. He also said he felt aftershocks. | "Papers, files, flower vases and everything fell on the floor," he said in a telephone interview with NHK. He also said he felt aftershocks. |
| Other eyewitnesses reported seeing walls around houses collapsing and in the city of Uki, where the city hall reportedly suffered broken windows and fallen cabinets. | Other eyewitnesses reported seeing walls around houses collapsing and in the city of Uki, where the city hall reportedly suffered broken windows and fallen cabinets. |
| Footage on NHK TV showed a signboard hanging from the ceiling at its local bureau violently shaking. | Footage on NHK TV showed a signboard hanging from the ceiling at its local bureau violently shaking. |
| Some train services have been suspended as officials attempt to gather information. | Some train services have been suspended as officials attempt to gather information. |
| Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said: "We intend to do the utmost to grasp the situation. I'm now planning to hear what we have gathered on the situation." | Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said: "We intend to do the utmost to grasp the situation. I'm now planning to hear what we have gathered on the situation." |
| The full extent of the damage is not currently known. | The full extent of the damage is not currently known. |
| The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) deep. | The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) deep. |
| This is a breaking story | This is a breaking story |
| AP | AP |