URGENT: Nikkei index extends losses, plunges over 2% in afternoon

The Nikkei stock index briefly dropped over 2 percent Thursday afternoon, as selling in semiconductor and other shares accelerated amid growing concerns over the global economy.

At 1:10 p.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average was down 649.41 points, or 1.95 percent, from Wednesday at 32,689.29. The broader Topix index was down 33.49 points, or 1.45 percent, at 2,272.54.