3 dead, 200 injured after 6.4 quake hits southwest Japan

Three people were killed after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck east of Kumamoto, Japan. Two-hundred others were taken to local hospitals, according to Kyodo News.

The quake hit at 9:26 p.m. local time (12:26 GMT), 11 kilometers (7 miles) east of the city of Kumamoto. It had a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). 

An aftershock measuring 5.7 struck the region about 40 minutes after the quake, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a separate tremor measuring 5.9 struck a couple hours later. 

Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, told reporters that the government intends "to do the utmost to grasp the situation," adding that he was waiting to hear more details.

The 6.4 magnitude earthquake left behind damage to buildings, as well as a fire in the town of Mashiki. 

Local police said they received reports that several people were trapped under collapsed houses, NHK reported. They also said that several traffic lights lost power after the quake.

"Papers, files, flower vases and everything fell on the floor," Kasumi Nakamura, an official in the village of Nishihara, located near the epicenter, said.

He said the rattling started small but then grew violent, lasting about 30 seconds. 

Source : MENA