DHAKA: A strong 6.2 magnitude earthquake in central Japan left 39 people injured, seven seriously, and wrecked homes in a popular ski resort.

The government said Sunday, reports The Straits Times.

The quake struck at 10.08pm local time (1308 GMT) Saturday at a depth of 10km at the epicentre, in the north of Nagano Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, according to the US Geological Survey.

The government confirmed Sunday that the quake injured 39 people, destroying houses and snapping water pipes, with the worst damage in mountainous areas.

In Nagano Prefecture’s famous Hakuba Village - a popular ski resort that hosted part of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games - many homes were toppled and destroyed, local authorities said.

Bird’s-eye footage by public broadcaster NHK showed houses reduced to rubble.

BDST: 1255 HRS, NOV 23, 2014