Sturdy earthquake hits Japan, killing one, injuring 13

TOKYO — A robust, shallow earthquake hit central Japan on Friday afternoon, killing a minimum of one particular person and injuring 13 others, however no tsunami warning was issued.

The magnitude 6.2 quake struck Ishikawa prefecture on the west coast of Japan’s important island of Honshu, the U.S. Geological Survey mentioned. The Japan Meteorological Agency measured the quake at 6.5 and mentioned it was centered at a depth of about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles).

One particular person was reported useless and a minimum of 13 had been injured in Suzu metropolis on the northern tip of Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture, a metropolis official mentioned. He mentioned six houses had been broken and rain may set off mudslides, inflicting additional harm.

He didn’t say how the particular person died, however the Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that an individual was discovered with out very important indicators after falling from a ladder. It mentioned one other particular person was injured when a cupboard fell on them, and two folks had been rescued from broken buildings within the metropolis.

A video broadcast by NHK public tv confirmed a bit of a hill that had crumbled and fallen on a home. It additionally broadcast a video taken by a reporter who was visiting his household in Ishikawa prefecture that confirmed a room shaking for almost half a minute, with image frames rattling on the partitions. Japan is celebrating a number of nationwide holidays this week.

Government spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno mentioned there have been stories of different broken buildings however particulars had been nonetheless being confirmed. There was no reported harm at two nuclear energy vegetation within the space, he mentioned.

East Japan Railway Co. mentioned bullet trains connecting Tokyo and Kanazawa in Ishikawa prefecture had been quickly halted for security checks however resumed regular operations, with some delays.