King condoles Japan emperor as quake claims lives

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday sent a cable to Japanese Emperor Akihito, expressing his condolences over the loss of life in the earthquake that hit the southwestern island of Kyushu, a Royal Court statement said. 

His Majesty wished the injured a speedy recovery. Japanese rescuers were digging through the rubble of buildings and mud on Saturday to reach dozens believed trapped after a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck a southern island, killing at least 32 people and injuring about a thousand, it was reported.

The shallow earthquake hit in the early hours, sending people from their beds onto dark streets, and followed a 6.4 magnitude quake on Thursday, which killed nine people in the area. Rain and cold were forecast overnight, adding extra urgency to the rescue effort.

Television footage showed fires, power cuts, collapsed bridges and gaping holes in the earth.