TOKYO: A strong earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan during rush hour on Thursday morning, but the country’s meteorological agency said there was no risk of a tsunami and no serious injuries were reported.
The earthquake shook dozens of towns in northeastern Japan, and it was felt slightly by residents of the capital, Tokyo. It hit an area where strong earthquakes have been repeatedly reported in recent months, including one that prompted a week-long mega-earthquake warning in December.The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said eight people were injured in northern Aomori and Iwate prefectures. The media had no report of life-threatening injuries, and the injuries reported were mainly the result of falling or being struck by falling objects.Earthquake hits rural California A rural area in Northern California on Wednesday witnessed its strongest earthquake since 1940, causing some injuries but no immediate reports of major damage, officials said. The epicenter of the quake, which had a preliminary magnitude of 5.6, was about 12 kilometers northwest of the farming town of Willits, according to the US Geological Survey. The earthquake was widely felt, including the coastal city of Fort Bragg.
Agencies