An earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale has hit Japan.
The quake struck approximately seven miles from Kumamoto, southern Japan.
The quake hit at 9:26 p.m. (1226 GMT) and was centered in the Kumamoto prefecture.
The U.S. Geological Survey have said the quake was 23 kilometers (14 miles) deep
The extent of the damage is not currently known but Japan’s Meteorological Agency says there’s no danger of a tsunami.
Video from the NHK newsroom in Kumamoto as the quake struck pic.twitter.com/G3wDxFlUqm
— Joseph Tame (@tamegoeswild) April 14, 2016
Footage from inside the office of Japan’s largest broadcaster, NHK, during the quake shows workers taking cover under their desks while a sign loosely hangs from the ceiling and cabinets, desks and computers are left shaking.
Keisukei Urata, an official at Uki city, said he was driving home when the quake struck in the nearby town of Mashiki in Kumamoto prefecture.
He said he saw some walls around houses collapsing.
Parts of the ceiling at Uki City Hall collapsed, windows were broken and cabinets fell to the ground.
We are still getting some aftershocks, ground just doesn't feel steady at the minute if I'm honest! #Japan #earthquake
— Garry Irwin (@GarryIrwin) April 14, 2016
Kasumi Nakamura, an official in the village of Nishihara near the epicentre, said the rattling started modestly and grew violent, lasting about 30 seconds.
“Papers, files, flower vases and everything fell on the floor,” he told NHK TV. He said there were aftershocks.
One aftershock measuring 5.7 struck about 40 minutes later, according to Japan’s Meteorological Agency.
More to follow.