3 killed as magnitude 6.1 quake strikes western Japan

By Adem Salvarcioglu

OSAKA

At least three people were killed and more than 300 others injured as a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Japanese city of Osaka early Monday.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the tremor occurred at around 8.00 am local time (2300GMT Sunday), north of Osaka, at a depth of about 13 kilometers (8 miles).

Some 307 people were treated at hospitals in five prefectures, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Most of the injured were in Osaka, it said.

Among those who were killed are a nine-year-old girl and two men in their 80s, officials confirmed.

The quake disrupted dozens of domestic flights in and out of Osaka and suspended train and subway service in the city.

There is no risk of a tsunami, according to government officials, and no irregularities were detected at the Mihama, Takahama, or Ohi nuclear power plants.

In March 2011, a strong magnitude 9.0 quake struck northeastern Japan, killing around 18,000 people.