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Strong quake rattles southwestern Japan
Tokyo, Japan, March 24, An earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale shook western Japan killing at least two people, however there were no immediate signs of widespread damage.
The quake, centered about 61 kilometers (38 miles) below ground, struck at 3:28 p.m. local time (0638 GMT) near Hiroshima state, about 692 kilometers (430 miles) southwest of Tokyo, the Meteorological Agency said.
The Hong Kong observatory said the epicenter of the quake was about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Hiroshima city. There was no danger of tsunami, or huge waves.
Japan's public broadcaster NHK showed smoke billowing out of buildings in Hiroshima city, but it remained unclear if the fires were triggered by the quake.
NHK also showed buildings in Hiroshima city swaying violently and reported that people had trouble standing. Telephone service in the area was also interrupted. The quake burst water pipes and caused traffic jams on some highways, NHK said. Bullet train and local train and subway service was also delayed.
A magnitude 6 quake can seriously damage houses and buildings in a populated area. In October, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck a largely rural area in Tottori state, about 315 miles southwest of Tokyo. Tottori borders Shimane to the east. Though at least 120 people were hurt in that quake, none of the injuries were reported to be life threatening. Of the 2,000 homes damaged by the temblor, only two were destroyed.
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