Strong quake shakes southwest Japan islands amid continued temblors
The quake, which struck around 4:13 p.m. off the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, measured a lower 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 on Akuseki Island, part of the village of Toshima, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. No tsunami warning was issued.
Local authorities in Toshima said they confirmed the safety of all people on Akuseki Island. At the time of the quake, there were 76 people there including 66 residents. There have been no reports of injury or property damage, according to the National Police Agency.
A quake measuring lower 6 is described by the weather agency as a level at which it becomes difficult to remain standing, with possible damage to building tiles and windows.
The latest quake originated off the southwestern coast of Akuseki Island at a depth of around 20 kilometers.
The region has been hit by over 1,000 quakes of a seismic intensity of at least 1 since June 21, with quakes measuring a lower 5 logged on Monday and Wednesday, a local meteorological observatory said.
The Japan Meteorological Agency is urging people to remain cautious of quakes of similar intensity as well as the risk of building collapses and landslides.
The people on the island sought shelter at a school after the village issued an evacuation order. The village is considering evacuating them from the island.
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