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Earthquake with magnitude of 6.3 hits southern Japan

Earthquake with magnitude of 6.3 hits southern Japan

Earthquake (Representative image)

The US Geological Survey said that an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck off southwestern Japan on Wednesday night (Apr 17). Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said that the magnitude was 6.4. So far no major damage has been reported. The authorities also didn't issue tsunami warnings.

The USGS stated that the epicentre of the quake was in a channel that separates the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku, which is about 18 kilometres west of Uwajima. It was at a depth of about 25 kilometres. However, the authorities have urged the public to be vigilant for aftershocks.

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On social media platform X, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said: "In areas where the jolt was strong, please don't approach any dangerous areas. There is no risk of tsunami caused by this earthquake."

The epicentre of the earthquake was the Bungo Channel, a strait separating the Japanese islands of Kyushu and Shikoku, the agency said, adding that no tsunami warning had been issued.

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority said the Ikata nuclear power plant in the area was operating as normal. It said, "No abnormalities have been detected at the Ikata power plant. and the operation is continuing."

While speaking on the situation, government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said that there were no tsunami warnings or abnormalities at any power plants. Meanwhile, the authorities were probing whether or not the quake caused any damage.

"We will do everything we can to respond," Hayashi said.

As quoted by the news agency AFP, a fisherman from the Ehime region told broadcaster NHK: "I was about to go to bed when I felt the rumbling and knew a quake was coming. Then I felt the kind of jolt that I've never experienced in my life, and it kept shaking for 10 or 20 seconds."

"I was a bit panicky," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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