UPDATE - Japan earthquake leaves 1 dead

UPDATES WITH DEATH TOLL, OTHER DETAILS; EDITS THROUGHOUT; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - At least one person was killed, while several buildings collapsed after a strong earthquake hit Japan on Friday, according to local media.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 6.2 earthquake, near the west coast of Honshu Island, hit the country at around 2.42 p.m. (0842GMT).

However, the Japan Meteorological Agency said in a statement that the magnitude of the earthquake was 6.3 that rocked Ishikawa province and surrounding areas of central Japan, with the epicenter in Suzu, at the tip of the Noto Peninsula in the Sea of Japan.

There was no threat of a tsunami, the weather agency added.

According to Tokyo-based Kyodo News, Friday’s 6.3 magnitude earthquake “was the largest among a series of quakes that have been hitting the Noto area since December 2020.”

It added that a man, 65, fell from a ladder in Suzu resulting in his death, while 12 others sustained minor injuries in the province.

Damages to several houses were also reported besides disruption in transport services at several locations.