Society

JMA: More strong quakes could hit Hokkaido

Sep 07 (NHK) - Japanese seismological authorities are urging people in the quake-hit prefecture of Hokkaido to keep in mind the possibility of more strong jolts striking their areas.

A magnitude-6.7 quake occurred at around 3:08 AM on Thursday, with its focus 37 kilometers deep in the Iburi region of Hokkaido. 8 people died. 6 have no vital signs. 26 remain missing.

The town of Atsuma recorded the highest level on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of zero to 7. Nearby areas also experienced violent tremors.

Jolts believed to be aftershocks of Thursday's quake have been continuing.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says that as of 4 AM on Friday, the areas had registered 93 tremors that could be felt by people, including 2 temblors with an intensity of 4.

The agency warns that a quake with an intensity of up to 7 could shake the region sometime in the next 7 days or so.

And a rainstorm is forecast to hit Hokkaido from shortly after noon Friday through Saturday.

The agency is calling on people to take extra care as the rain may increase the risk of mudslides in quake-hit areas.

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