A 5.7 magnitude earthquake has hit central Japan in the early hours of Sunday, leaving at least 20 people injured and causing material damage in some areas of the country.

According to Japan’s Meteorological Agency, seismic swings were recorded at 1:04 local times in the Shizuoka Prefecture at a depth of about 40 miles [40 km]. The quake caused fear in the inhabitants, many of whom hurriedly left the buildings to escape the quakes.

Japanese news agency Kyodo reported that at least 20 people have been injured in Achi and Shizuoka Prefectures.

Volunteers were also felt in several other regions, including the town of Hamamatsu, the areas around Kyoto and Nara, and the Yamanashi and Gifu Prefectures. Image broadcast by local media showed damage in shops, with broken windows and glass fragments scattered on the streets.

Following the quake, Japan’s Meteorological Agency warned citizens of the possibility of further powerful quakes over the next week, with particular emphasis on the next two to three days.

The agency’s official, Ayataka Ebita, also sought caution from landslides and the fall of stones, especially in the event of rainfall.

Meanwhile, authorities have indicated that no unusual changes have been noted so far in the Nankai Hendek area, where two large tectonic plates meet. This area is considered to be high in seismic risk, as scientists have long warned of the possibility of an earthquake with devastating consequences.

For security reasons, several local railway lines were temporarily suspended. Meanwhile, high-speed Shinkansen trains continued circulation, but at speeds reduced in the affected areas.

The JR Central railway company announced that the line Tokaido Shinkansen, which connects Tokyo and Osaka, suffered delays in the segment between Shizuoka and Gifu-Hasima stations, while the respective teams conducted controls to verify infrastructure safety.

Source Layer: Dukeagini