Tokyo. More than 900 earthquakes have been felt on an island in southern Japan over the past two weeks.

There were no reports of any major damage, but Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) held an emergency press conference after a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Tokara island range south of the Kyushu region at 3:30 p.m.

Rectaka Abitita, director of the Department of Seismological and Tsunami Observation, said, “Since June 21, seismic activity has been very active in the seas around the Tokara Island range. “As of 4 pm today, the number has crossed 900,” he said, adding, “It is difficult to predict when it will end.” ’

The Tokara village administration said on its website, “Due to the continuous seismic activity, the fear of a major earthquake has increased among the residents. They haven’t been able to sleep well for the past few days. they are tired. ’

A local told regional broadcaster MBC, “It feels like the island is constantly shaking. Sleeping is also a very scary situation. ’

“It’s not clear when all this will end. I have to think about whether to relocate my children or vacate my house,” said another resident.

According to the JMA, in September 2023, intense seismic activity was observed in the Tokara area and 346 earthquakes were recorded.

About 700 people live on seven of the 12 remote Tokara islands. Japan is one of the world’s most seismically vulnerable countries, at the top of four major tectonic plates on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire.

The archipelago, home to about 125 million people, receives about 1,500 aftershocks each year, accounting for 18 percent of the world’s earthquakes.

The damage they cause varies according to their location and the depth they strike. On New Year’s Day 2024, more than 600 people were killed in a powerful earthquake on the Noto Peninsula in central Japan.