Iwate prefecture: At least four people were injured after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Japan.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Japan Meteorological Agency and local fire departments reported that the earthquake occurred off the Pacific coast of Iwate Prefecture at a depth of 44 kilometers. The tremor caused injuries to at least four individuals, including teenagers and people in their 50s, who were subsequently taken to a hospital with minor injuries, as detailed by local fire departments in Hashikami and Hachinohe.

The agency has urged the public to remain vigilant for potential earthquakes measuring upper 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale over the coming week. Japan's location at the intersection of four tectonic plates makes it particularly susceptible to seismic activity, and it is home to 100 active volcanoes.

In a historical context, Japan experienced a devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake in 2011, which triggered a tsunami. This disaster resulted in the death of more than 15,000 people and caused a severe incident at the Fukushima nuclear plant.