Earthquake in Japan – Tsunami Warning

Collapsed houses, torn road surfaces: Earth shook in Japan. Ishikawa prefecture on the west coast was particularly affected. Officials warned of a tsunami – the first waves have now hit land.

A powerful earthquake struck parts of Japan and triggered small tsunami waves. According to Japanese broadcaster NHK, the first waves to hit land were about one meter high. There may be more waves. The National Meteorological Center has warned that a tsunami of up to three meters will occur.

The warning has been issued for Ishikawa on the west coast and the coastal areas of Yamagata, Niigata, Toyama, Fukui and Hyogo prefectures. “All residents should immediately move to higher ground,” broadcaster NHK said.

TV channels interrupt the programs

Other Japanese broadcasters also interrupted their programs to warn people of the impending tsunami. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) in the United States has warned that dangerous tsunami waves may occur within 300 kilometers of the epicenter.

No injuries reported so far. According to Japanese television channels, several houses collapsed along the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan. Streets and parking lots were torn up and a factory caught fire. Power cut in 36,000 homes.

Electricity distributors are inspecting nuclear power plants

Electricity supplier Hokuriku Electric Power said it was inspecting its nuclear plants for irregularities. Rival Kansai Electric said there were no abnormalities at nuclear plants in the earthquake zone. Japan's Nuclear Regulatory Commission also said it had not recorded any irregularities.

This is the first major tsunami warning since the Fukushima disaster in 2011. At that time, Japan was hit by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami. The tsunami also hit the Fukushima nuclear power plant, causing explosions and meltdowns in three reactors.

Ishikawa prefecture is affected

The Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture has been particularly affected by the current earthquake. The Japan Meteorological Agency recorded a total of 21 earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 4.0 in the region within an hour and a half. They were recorded a few minutes apart. According to authorities, the strongest earthquake measured 7.6 on the Richter scale.

Ishikawa Prefecture was hit by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in early May. One person died and 49 people were injured.

Buildings also started shaking in areas around the capital, Tokyo. Japan also warned of new earthquakes in Ishikawa, Niigata, Nagano and Toyama prefectures. In the next two or three days, vigilance is especially necessary. The risk of landslides has also increased in the affected areas.

A government spokesman urged people to heed evacuation instructions from local authorities and information on television, radio and the Internet.

Warnings also issued in Russia and North Korea

Tsunami warnings were also issued in other countries. Russia has issued a warning to the eastern cities of Vladivostok and Nakotka, state news agency DASS reported.

A tsunami was also feared off the west coast of Russia's Sakhalin Island. According to Dass, officials denied earlier reports of current evacuations. According to media reports, officials said vessels traveling in the area “must return to shore as a matter of urgency”. The wave is not life threatening.

Waves up to one meter high have also been warned in some parts of North Korea. South Korea has also issued a tsunami warning for coastal residents. Gangwon province has already reported waves as high as 45 centimeters, and the waves are expected to last up to 24 hours.

With information from Charlotte Horne, ART Studio New Delhi