Tsunami warning after earthquake

Japan 

Tsunami warning after earthquake  

Ebba Torstensson  

Updated 11.47 | Published 08.35  

An earthquake has occurred just off the west coast of Japan.  

The quake has been measured at a magnitude of 7.6 and a tsunami warning has been issued.  

- Every minute counts, says government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi at a press conference, according to the AP news agency.  

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 has been measured, according to the Japan Meteorological Institute.  

The earthquake has caused a tsunami warning to go out to residents along the coast. 

- The earthquake has largely occurred on a 10-mile-long fracture zone. This causes vibrations to become strong over a very long distance. A larger area will be affected, says seismologist Björn Lund.  

Therefore, the entire west coast is classified as a risk area.  

- This is the biggest earthquake since 2011. Even if they are very good at building safely, buildings will find it difficult to stand, says Björn Lund.  

The epicenter is measured in the city of Noto. There, the waves risk being as high as five meters. But so far no such high waves have been reported.  

Smaller tsunami waves have reached the coast. Among other things, a 120 centimeter high wave has reached the city of Wajima, reports the state news agency NHK.  

Evacuation in progress  

About 35,500 households lack electricity, several news agencies report. Highways and railways have also been closed.  

According to NHK, residents of the worst affected areas have been asked to evacuate immediately. A special emergency center has been set up to gather information about the earthquake and tsunami.  

Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi says the people in the coastal areas must leave the area quickly during a press briefing.  

- Please evacuate to a safe area immediately, says Hayashi.  

Tremors should also have been felt in Tokyo, on Japan's east coast, reports The japan times newspaper. During the day, several aftershocks have been measured, and there will be more, according to seismologist Björn Lund. 

- Aftershocks can last for weeks and months. There are relatively many mountains, which means there is a risk of landslides. But so far it looks positive.   

 

Houses that collapsed as a result of the earthquake.

 

The street has cracked in Wajima, Ishikawa.

The epicenter is measured at Noto, at the crossroads.