Japanese earthquake injures 11

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 rattled northeastern Japan tonight, injuring at least 11 people and causing power cuts in some areas, officials said.

The quake was centred about seven miles below the surface in the northeastern state of Miyagi, the Meteorological Agency in Tokyo said.

It struck at 13 minutes after midnight and was followed by aftershocks, including one less than a half hour later with a 3.4 magnitude.

The quake was most strongly felt in the neighbouring towns of Yamotocho and Narusecho, about 190 miles northeast of Tokyo.

Police said 11 people were injured in Miyagi and being treated in hospitals. One 51-year-old man was injured when objects fell from shelves and hit him on the head. No major structural damage was reported, although some roads and rail lines were shut.

Homes and businesses lost power in at least two towns.