A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.5 struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday, triggering a tsunami warning and forcing authorities to urge people in coastal areas to evacuate immediately.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of around 10 kilometres. Officials warned that tsunami waves of up to three metres could hit parts of northern Japan, including the Iwate, Aomori, and Hokkaido regions.
Following the alert, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the formation of an emergency task force and urged residents in affected areas to move to safer locations without delay.
Local media reported that ships were seen leaving Hachinohe port in Hokkaido as a precaution. Television broadcasts also showed emergency warnings flashing across screens, advising people to evacuate immediately.
Train services in parts of northern Japan, including Aomori, were temporarily suspended due to the tremors. Authorities said the earthquake was strong enough to make movement difficult in some areas.
Japan, located in the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences earthquakes and is one of the most seismically active countries in the world. Officials said they are closely monitoring the situation and checking for possible damage, including at nearby power facilities.
Emergency teams remain on high alert as aftershocks and possible tsunami waves continue to be a concern.
