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| Earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hits southern region of Japan | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A powerful earthquake has struck southern Japan, killing at least two people and injuring hundreds of others. | A powerful earthquake has struck southern Japan, killing at least two people and injuring hundreds of others. |
| The quake hit at 9.26 pm and was centered seven miles east from the town of Mashiki in the Kumamoto prefecture, 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, according to Japan's Meteorological Agency, |
| Initial reports placed the quake at a magnitude 6.4, but this was later downgraded to 6.2 by the US Geological Survey. | 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 have also been reported. | A number of "strong" aftershocks have also been reported. |
| One person was killed after being crushed by a collapsing building, and the other by a fire that broke out after the quake. | One person was killed after being crushed by a collapsing building, and the other by a fire that broke out after the quake. |
| At least 400 people are being treated at local hospitals, public broadcaster NHK said. Others are feared trapped under fallen structures. | At least 400 people are being treated at local hospitals, public broadcaster NHK said. Others are feared trapped under fallen structures. |
| "We will do our utmost and carry on with life-saving and rescue operations throughout the night," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters. | "We will do our utmost and carry on with life-saving and rescue operations throughout the night," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters. |
| Around 20 houses have collapsed, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK. | Around 20 houses have collapsed, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK. |
| A fire also broke out in Mashiki, which has a population of around 34,000 people, and local television showed footage of firefighters tackling a blaze at a building. | A fire also broke out in Mashiki, which has a population of around 34,000 people, and local television showed footage of firefighters tackling a blaze at a building. |
| Officials said there is no danger of a tsunami and confirmed the region's nuclear facilities have not been adversely affected by the tremors. The plants remain in operation. | Officials said there is no danger of a tsunami and confirmed the region's nuclear facilities have not been adversely affected by the tremors. The plants remain in operation. |
| However, some gas and power outages were reported in areas close to the epicenter. About 16,500 households in and around Mashiki were without electricity, according to Kyushu Electric Power Co Inc. | However, some gas and power outages were reported in areas close to the epicenter. About 16,500 households in and around Mashiki were without electricity, according to Kyushu Electric Power Co Inc. |
| 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: |
| Pictures of the fires, seemingly taken from Japanese television, have also been posted to Twitter: | Pictures 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. | "There was a ka-boom and the whole house violently shook sideways," said Takahiko Morita, a Mashiki resident. |
| "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 which is 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 which is 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. | "Papers, files, flower vases and everything fell on the floor," he said. |
| Other eyewitnesses reported seeing walls around houses collapsing in the city of Uki, where the city hall reportedly suffered broken windows and fallen cabinets. | Other eyewitnesses reported seeing walls around houses collapsing 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. |
| Honda Motor Co suspended output at its motorcycle factory near Kumamoto following the quake, a company spokesman said. | Honda Motor Co suspended output at its motorcycle factory near Kumamoto following the quake, a company spokesman said. |
| Mitsubishi Electric Corp and tire maker Bridgestone Corp also suspended operations at their factories in the area, Kyodo news agency said. | Mitsubishi Electric Corp and tire maker Bridgestone Corp also suspended operations at their factories in the area, Kyodo news agency said. |
| Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, said soon after the earthquake: "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 soon after the earthquake: "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 US Geological Survey said the earthquake was 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) deep. | The US Geological Survey said the earthquake was 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) deep. |
| Additional reporting by agencies | Additional reporting by agencies |