6.6 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Japan's Kyushu Region, Tsunami Warning Issued

Tokyo: A magnitude 6.6 earthquake hit the Kyushu region of Southwestern Japan on Monday, according to the Meteorological Agency.

Tsunami warnings were issued for Miyazaki Prefecture, where the temblor was centred, in the southwestern island of Kyushu, as well as nearby Kochi Prefecture, shortly after the quake struck at 9:19 pm local time, according to the agency. 

The quake occurred at a depth of 37 km (23 miles). Authorities are closely monitoring the situation.

The extent of damage was not immediately clear.

Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes because of its location along the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. 

The worst quake in recent Japanese history was the 9.1 magnitude Tohoku earthquake in 2011 that triggered a major tsunami and nuclear disaster. About 20,000 people were killed.

(with agency inputs)