Powerful earthquake rocks Japan sending debris flying and blocking roads

Workers look at a closed off section of the national highway after rocks fell across the road when a 6.4- magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan (Picture: AFP)

Scenes of ruin have emerged from southern Japan after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4.

Millions of people are on alert after being jolted by the tremors on Wednesday night.

The epicentre was pinpointed to a channel between the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku, about 11 miles west of Uwajima, at a depth of about 15 miles.

Footage circulating on social media shows buildings shaking amid the power of the earthquake.

Falling rocks damaged a highway in Ohzu, Ehime prefecture (Picture: AP)

A man in his 90s, who was jolted out of his bed from the tremors, is among nine people who were wounded and have since been taken to hospital.

People reported that the shaking persisted for at least 10 seconds.

No tsunami warnings have been issued across Japan where seismic activity is a common event.

‘In areas the jolt was strong, please do not approach any dangerous areas. There is no risk of tsunami caused by this earthquake,’ the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed in a statement on X.

Police officers try to remove debris caused by an earthquake in Uwajima, Ehime prefecture (Picture: Reuters)

The tremor measured an intensity of lower 6 on the Japanese seismic scale of 0 to 7.

Agency officials said this is the first time since 1996, when the seismic intensity scale was introduced, that an earthquake with an intensity of lower 6 or higher has hit Ehime and Kochi prefectures.

Disaster prevention helicopters have been patrolling to assess the damage in Ehime Prefecture and other areas.

Pictures show workers clearing up the damage in the early hours of this morning.

Some water pipes burst overnight and roads were damaged by fallen rocks, but no major devastation was reported.

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