6.0 magnitude earthquake hits off northern Japan

By Hazel Belkis Belge

ISTANBUL (AA) - A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Japan’s northern Iwate Prefecture on Wednesday, according to the US Geological Survey.

The quake occurred at a depth of 19 kilometers (11 miles) at 5:26 pm local time (1426 GMT), the agency said.

Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported that the country’s meteorological agency measured the quake at magnitude 5.7.

No tsunami warning was issued, and no casualties had been reported by the time of publication of this report.

Earlier this month, northeastern Japan was jolted by a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake.