6.6 magnitude earthquake strikes western Japan

ISTANBUL

A 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Japan’s Ishikawa prefecture on Tuesday, the country’s meteorological agency reported.

The earthquake, which occurred at 1347GMT, had an epicenter at a depth of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles).

US Geological Survey recorded the magnitude as 6.1 and said it happened 42 kilometers (26 miles) northwest of the city of Hakui.

No immediate damage or tsunami warnings were reported.

“This earthquake is expected to cause some sea level fluctuations, but there is no risk of damage”, Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Authorities reported there have been 13 earthquakes with a seismic intensity of 1 or higher since the earthquake.

Officials urged residents to remain calm in areas where strong tremors were felt.

In January, a major earthquake devastated the Noto Peninsula and nearby areas of central Japan. It left 281 people dead in Ishikawa prefecture.

Ishikawa prefecture lies on the central Chubu region of Honshu, Japan's main island, forming a prominent peninsula on its western coast.