Several trapped under rubble as magnitude 6.3 earthquake jolts Japan

Two houses partially collapsed on Friday in the Japanese village of Suzu (Ishikawa Prefecture) as a result of a 6.3-magnitude earthquake. Several people are trapped under the rubble, Report informs via TASS.

Rescuers are working on the scene.

The earthquake occurred in the central part of the main Japanese island of Honshu on the coast of the Sea of Japan. According to the country's meteorological department, the epicenter was in Ishikawa Prefecture on the Noto Peninsula. The source lay at a depth of about 10 km.

A crisis headquarters began to work under the office of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to collect and analyze information related to the consequences of the earthquake. A similar headquarters was set up at the country's main police department.

10:17

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck central Japan on Friday, forcing the suspension of bullet train services, but no tsunami warning was issued, authorities said.

The quake hit the central Ishikawa region at 2:42 pm (0542 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or damage.