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| Earthquake rocks northern Japan | Earthquake rocks northern Japan |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least four people have been killed and about 60 hurt by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake which struck the north of Japan's main island. | |
| The epicentre was in Akita prefecture, 100km (60 miles) north of the city of Sendai, at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles), according to the US Geological Survey. | The epicentre was in Akita prefecture, 100km (60 miles) north of the city of Sendai, at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles), according to the US Geological Survey. |
| The tremor rattled buildings in nearby towns and in the capital, Tokyo, 390km (240 miles) to the south. | The tremor rattled buildings in nearby towns and in the capital, Tokyo, 390km (240 miles) to the south. |
| All high-speed bullet trains in the area were automatically shut down. | All high-speed bullet trains in the area were automatically shut down. |
| Several gallons of radioactive water leaked from two pools storing spent fuel at the Fukushima nuclear plant, but the operator said this posed no risk to the environment. | Several gallons of radioactive water leaked from two pools storing spent fuel at the Fukushima nuclear plant, but the operator said this posed no risk to the environment. |
| Two other nuclear power plants in the area were being inspected but there were no immediate signs of damage, officials said. | Two other nuclear power plants in the area were being inspected but there were no immediate signs of damage, officials said. |
| Several people were reportedly buried under mud at a hot spring hit by a landslide, with up to 100 more reportedly trapped. | Several people were reportedly buried under mud at a hot spring hit by a landslide, with up to 100 more reportedly trapped. |
| Advance warning | Advance warning |
| Seismologists had issued advance warning of the earthquake moments before it struck around 0845 (2343 GMT on Friday). | Seismologists had issued advance warning of the earthquake moments before it struck around 0845 (2343 GMT on Friday). |
| Footage from NHK television showed surveillance cameras in Sendai being shaken violently for about 30 seconds. | Footage from NHK television showed surveillance cameras in Sendai being shaken violently for about 30 seconds. |
| Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura told reporters in Tokyo that one person had been killed by a landslide triggered by the earthquake in Iwaki City in Fukushima prefecture. | Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura told reporters in Tokyo that one person had been killed by a landslide triggered by the earthquake in Iwaki City in Fukushima prefecture. |
| Another death occurred in Iwate prefecture, close to the epicentre, when someone ran out of a building in panic and was hit by a lorry. | Another death occurred in Iwate prefecture, close to the epicentre, when someone ran out of a building in panic and was hit by a lorry. |
| A third victim was a construction worker hit by a rock at a dam in Iwate, according to the National Police Agency. | A third victim was a construction worker hit by a rock at a dam in Iwate, according to the National Police Agency. |
| A fourth body is reported to have been found in the mountains. | |
| Four people were badly injured near the airport in Sendai when a bus in which they were travelling was jolted by the tremors, Japanese television reported. | Four people were badly injured near the airport in Sendai when a bus in which they were travelling was jolted by the tremors, Japanese television reported. |
| Children and at least one teacher were also reportedly hurt when window panes broke at a child care centre in Oshu, it added. | Children and at least one teacher were also reportedly hurt when window panes broke at a child care centre in Oshu, it added. |
| Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries and experiences thousands of minor tremors each year. | Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries and experiences thousands of minor tremors each year. |
| An earthquake last year in central Japan caused a small radioactive leak from the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant. | An earthquake last year in central Japan caused a small radioactive leak from the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant. |
| Are you in Japan? Have you been affected by the earthquake? Send us your experiences using the form below. | Are you in Japan? Have you been affected by the earthquake? Send us your experiences using the form below. |
| You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to + 44 7725 100 100 or short code 61124 | You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to + 44 7725 100 100 or short code 61124 |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
| When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |