Nine people killed in strong earthquake in Japan

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan last night killing at least nine people and injuring hundreds others. Officials said, the quake struck at a depth of 11 kilometres near



Kumamoto city on Kyushu island. The quake was followed by aftershocks measuring 5.7 about 40 minutes later, and 6.4 just after midnight local time. No tsunami warning was issued, and nuclear reactors on the island are not reported to have been affected.

However, a number of houses collapsed, and hundreds of calls came in reporting building damage and people buried under debris or trapped inside. Thousands of homes were left without electricity. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters that the government has mobilized police, firefighters and self-defense troops for the rescue operation.