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| Japan rocked by major earthquake | Japan rocked by major earthquake |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| An earthquake has struck central Japan, killing at least seven people, flattening buildings and triggering a fire at a nuclear power plant. | |
| Hundreds of people were injured when the 6.8-magnitude tremor struck the Niigata area. | Hundreds of people were injured when the 6.8-magnitude tremor struck the Niigata area. |
| The fire at the nuclear plant has been extinguished, and there was no release of radiation or damage to the reactors, officials said. | The fire at the nuclear plant has been extinguished, and there was no release of radiation or damage to the reactors, officials said. |
| Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has flown to the affected region. | Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has flown to the affected region. |
| He cut short a trip to the south-western city of Nagasaki, where he was campaigning ahead of forthcoming upper house elections. | He cut short a trip to the south-western city of Nagasaki, where he was campaigning ahead of forthcoming upper house elections. |
| The seven deaths took place in the city of Kashiwazaki. | |
| In pictures: Japan quake Four women and three men - all in their 70s and 80s - died from injuries sustained in the earthquake, the National Police Agency said. | |
| City official Takashi Otsuka said about 2,000 people had been evacuated from their homes, while tens of thousands are reported to have no power or running water. | City official Takashi Otsuka said about 2,000 people had been evacuated from their homes, while tens of thousands are reported to have no power or running water. |
| Older buildings, many of them with wooden walls and heavy tile roofs, appear to have suffered the most damage in the earthquake, which also cracked roads and buckled bridges. | Older buildings, many of them with wooden walls and heavy tile roofs, appear to have suffered the most damage in the earthquake, which also cracked roads and buckled bridges. |
| The region has subsequently suffered several strong aftershocks. | The region has subsequently suffered several strong aftershocks. |
| Clouds of black smoke poured from the Kashiwazaki nuclear plant, which automatically shut down during the quake. | Clouds of black smoke poured from the Kashiwazaki nuclear plant, which automatically shut down during the quake. |
| Motoyasu Tamaki, a Tokyo Electric Power Company official, said the fire had occurred in an electrical transformer. | Motoyasu Tamaki, a Tokyo Electric Power Company official, said the fire had occurred in an electrical transformer. |
| Hospital officials said about 300 people had been brought in for treatment of injuries including broken bones, cuts and bruises, they added. | Hospital officials said about 300 people had been brought in for treatment of injuries including broken bones, cuts and bruises, they added. |
| 'Violent shaking' | 'Violent shaking' |
| Masao Honma, a police officer in Kashiwazaki, described the moment the earthquake hit. | Masao Honma, a police officer in Kashiwazaki, described the moment the earthquake hit. |
| Japan is in one of the world's most seismically active areas"It was too strong to stand," he told Reuters news agency. "Some people got under tables, others immediately went outside." | Japan is in one of the world's most seismically active areas"It was too strong to stand," he told Reuters news agency. "Some people got under tables, others immediately went outside." |
| Resident Ritei Wakatsuki told the Associated Press news agency: "I was so scared - the violent shaking went on for 20 seconds. I almost fainted through fear of the shaking." | Resident Ritei Wakatsuki told the Associated Press news agency: "I was so scared - the violent shaking went on for 20 seconds. I almost fainted through fear of the shaking." |
| Skyscrapers swayed in Tokyo, more than 200km (125 miles), from the earthquake's epicentre in the Sea of Japan. | Skyscrapers swayed in Tokyo, more than 200km (125 miles), from the earthquake's epicentre in the Sea of Japan. |
| Earthquakes are common in Japan, which is situated in one of the world's most seismically active areas, and the country regularly holds safety drills. | Earthquakes are common in Japan, which is situated in one of the world's most seismically active areas, and the country regularly holds safety drills. |
| Three years ago, an earthquake in the same area left 65 people dead. | Three years ago, an earthquake in the same area left 65 people dead. |
| In 1995, a magnitude 7.3 tremor hit the city of Kobe, killing more than 6,400 people. | In 1995, a magnitude 7.3 tremor hit the city of Kobe, killing more than 6,400 people. |
| Do you live in the area? Have you been affected by the earthquake? Please send us your comments and photos. | Do you live in the area? Have you been affected by the earthquake? Please send us your comments and photos. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
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