A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of six on the Richter scale shook the quake-devastated Niigata Prefecture in Japan around 10:40 a.m. (0140 GMT)Wednesday, reported the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The quake centered on the Chuetsu region in Niigata Prefecture and the focus is about 10 km underground, the agency said.

There has been no death or injury report of the latest quake. It registered lower six on the Japanese intensity scale of seven in Hirokami, Niigata Prefecture, and was also felt in Tokyo, located around 200 kilometers southwest of Niigata. Local railway companies have suspended all train services in Niigata Prefecture and are checking for damage.

The region has been hit by a series of powerful earthquakes and aftershocks since last Saturday, killing at least 31 people and injuring 2,100 others. More than 100,000 people have been evacuated, and many are staying inside vehicles and in tents outdoors despite the cold weather.

Meanwhile, two children and their 39-year-old mother buried in Saturday's earthquakes were rescued Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Kyodo News, they went missing in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, after a series of deadly temblors jolted the prefecture.

Source: Xinhua