Japan issued a major tsunami warning after a series of powerful earthquakes.
The earthquakes struck the city of Ishikawa and nearby areas, with one of them initially measuring 7.6, according to the center. Japan Meteorological Authority.
There are reports of people trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings and power being cut to tens of thousands of homes – with people urged to flee to higher ground due to the tsunami threat.
Japan's latest earthquake: Major tsunami warning and residents urged to evacuate
The purple line shows a major tsunami warning while the red line indicates a tsunami warning. Photo: Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan earthquake epicenter. Image: USGS
A major tsunami warning has been issued for the Ishikawa area, along with lower-level advisories or advisories for the rest of the western coast of Honshu Island.
A spokesman for the meteorological agency said that a tsunami with a height of more than 1.2 meters struck the city of Noto in Ishikawa.
They added that there is a risk of fires, house collapses and landslides in areas hit by strong earthquakes, and they urged the public not to return to dangerous areas for at least a week.
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Waves pile up in the Japan River amid tsunami warnings
Waves up to 5 meters high are expected
Waves up to five meters high are expected, according to NHK, which urged people to flee to higher ground or the tops of nearby buildings as soon as possible.
It warned that tsunami waves may continue to return and warned of the possibility of more strong earthquakes in the region in the coming days. Several aftershocks shook the area.
Collapsed buildings after the earthquake in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Photo: AP
People are evacuated from their homes in Wajima City. Photo: AP
Residents were urged to evacuate
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged residents facing the threat of a tsunami to evacuate their homes immediately after the earthquake.
“Residents should remain alert in anticipation of more possible earthquakes and I urge people in areas where they are expected to be free from tsunami waves as soon as possible,” he said.
Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said it was important for people in coastal areas to stay away from the coming tsunami.
“Every minute counts. Please evacuate to a safe area immediately,” he said.
The earthquake damaged the pier in Wajima City. Photo: AP
Burning property in Wajima City which is believed to be related to the earthquake
No violations were reported at the nuclear plants
The Japanese Nuclear Regulatory Authority said that nuclear power plants in the region had not reported any violations.
Hokuriku Electric Power Company said more than 36,000 homes were without power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures.
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A family clings to their possessions during the Japan earthquake
High-speed rail services to Ishikawa were suspended while Japanese carrier ANA returned aircraft bound for airports in Toyama and Ishikawa and Japan Airlines canceled most of its services to the Niigata and Ishikawa areas.
A tsunami can last for several days
One expert said the tsunami waves could last for two days. Joint Tsunami Commission Secretary-General Mohammad Heydarzadeh told Sky News the natural disaster had the potential to cause “long-lasting oscillations” due to its location in the Sea of Japan – an almost completely enclosed basin.
“This means that there could be big waves for two days and then a clear impact on countries on the other side, such as North Korea, South Korea and Russia,” he said. I would say: “We are only at the beginning of the disaster.”
Damage to a store in Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, following the earthquake. Photo: AP
The collapsed torii gate at Onohyoshi Shrine in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture
Russia and North Korea issue tsunami warnings
Russia issued a tsunami warning for parts of the western coast of Sakhalin Island and the cities of Vladivostok and Nakhodka on the mainland, located near Japan in eastern Russia, while North Korea issued tsunami warnings for its eastern coast.
South Korea's meteorological agency said sea levels in some areas along the east coast may rise after the quake.
Japan is very vulnerable to earthquakes. In March 2011, a large earthquake and tsunami caused meltdowns at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
