Powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake strikes Japan, injuring four people PHOTO

A powerful magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck northeastern Japan, injuring four people, though no tsunami warning was issued, Kyodo reports.

The earthquake occurred at 7:30 a.m. local time on June 25 (02:30 Baku time) in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Iwate Prefecture. The quake's epicentre was located at a depth of 44 kilometres.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the tremor reached an intensity of upper 6 on Japan’s Shindo seismic scale in the town of Hashikami and lower 6 in the city of Hachinohe.

Local emergency services reported that four people sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. The injured include teenagers as well as middle-aged residents.

Authorities warned that strong aftershocks could occur during the coming week and urged residents to remain vigilant.

The earthquake was also felt across Hokkaido and in the prefectures of Akita, Miyagi, Fukushima, and even Tokyo.

Schools in the hardest-hit areas were temporarily closed following the quake. JR East also suspended operations of Tohoku Shinkansen high-speed trains, although service on part of the route was later restored.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government was urgently gathering information to assess the impact of the natural disaster.

By Jeyhun Aghazada