Strong quake hits Japan, one dead and more than 20 injured
Published:Friday | May 5, 2023 | 9:36 PM
TOKYO (AP) — A strong, shallow offshore earthquake hit central Japan on Friday afternoon, killing at least one person and injuring more than 20 others and disrupting plans for holidaymakers.
The magnitude 6.2 quake struck Ishikawa prefecture on the west coast of Japan's main island of Honshu, the US Geological Survey said.
The Japan Meteorological Agency measured the quake at 6.5 and said it was centred at a depth of about 7.5 miles.
More than 50 aftershocks strong enough to be felt have been recorded since, including one at 5.8 magnitude on Friday night.
Most injuries and damages were reported in Suzu city at the northern tip of Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture.
One person died after falling from a ladder, and 22 others were injured in the prefecture, two of them seriously. The rest were mild injuries.
Some 100 residents took refuge at evacuation centres Friday night, according to the prefectural crisis management department.
One injury was reported in the neighbouring prefecture of Toyama, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
Several homes were also damaged.
On Saturday morning, some residents placed blue plastic tarps over damaged parts of their houses ahead of rain forecasted to begin in the evening.
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