Japan Hit by 9 Quakes in 1.5 Hours, Prompting ‘Massive Tsunami, Evacuate Now’ Warning
Japan Hit by Series of Earthquakes and Tsunami Warning Issued
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has reported a series of consecutive earthquakes in the Noto Peninsula and off the coast of Ishikawa. Beginning at 16:06 local time, earthquakes of magnitude 5.7, 7.6, 6.1, 5.2, 5.2, 5, 5.7, 5.2, and 5 occurred, with tremors of magnitude 4 to 5 continuing throughout the region. Additionally, tsunami waves measuring 3 to 5 meters have reached different parts of the region’s coast in the last 1.5 hours.
Citizens have been urged to stay away from the shores, as tsunami warnings have been issued. The earthquake was felt throughout Ishikawa, in the prefectures of Toyama, Fukui, and Niigata on the Sea of Japan, as well as in the capital Tokyo and its surroundings.
The state television channel NHK broadcasted warnings for a “Great Tsunami,” alerting residents to evacuate immediately. In response to the disaster, rail services on several high-speed train lines were suspended, and the Japanese government established an emergency response office in the capital Tokyo.
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has stated that damage assessment activities are ongoing in the region and has called on the public to comply with evacuation calls. Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa has announced that no abnormality was detected in the out-of-service nuclear power plant in Ishikawa’s coastal city of Shika.
The situation remains under close observation as Japan deals with the aftermath of the series of earthquakes and the threat of tsunamis.
