Major quake causes at least six injuries in Japan

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

TOKYO (AFP) — A 6.2-magnitude earthquake nearly as strong as last month's deadly tremor in Indonesia has shaken large areas of southwestern Japan, injuring at least six but not killing anyone.

Local trains were temporarily suspended as a precaution and some elevators came to a halt in the early-morning earthquake. Police said six people were hurt but none faced life-threatening injuries.

The Japan Meteorological Agency upgraded the strength of the quake from an initial 6.1 magnitude but said it did not expect more major tremors.

"Aftershocks will happen but we're not predicting strong ones that could cause serious damages," agency official Takeshi Hachimine told reporters.

"If the epicenter is located deep down, strong shakes tend to spread to wider...