OSAKA -- At least 17 people were injured as a powerful earthquake hit several prefectures in western Japan on Friday morning, local press reported.

According to Japan Meteorological Agency, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 78 km under the Seto Inland Sea in western Japan at 2:06 a.m. local time.

After the 6.2-maginitude quake, at least 17 people were treated for minor injuries in hospitals in a total of five prefectures, including Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and Ehime in western Japan, Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK), Japan's public broadcaster said.

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