The initial hours leave at least three injured and warnings from authorities about the possibility of a stronger tremor
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a tsunami alert Monday for the east coast of the country following a preliminary 7.6 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Hokkaido and Aomori prefectures. The quake has so far left three people injured (two in Hokkaido, one in Aomori) and caused water levels to rise by up to 70 cm in some affected coastal cities.
The alert warns residents along the coasts of Hokkaido and Tohoku to seek higher ground due to the possibility of waves up to three meters high.
The earthquake was recorded around 3:26 PM (Spanish time) with an epicenter located approximately 50 kilometers deep.
In a press conference this afternoon, JMA experts urged the public to take precautions over the next few hours “as there is a possibility of even stronger tremors,” according to the ‘Yomiuri Shimbun’ newspaper. The agency has even issued a “late earthquake warning for Hokkaido and Sanriku,” the first of its kind.
The country’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, has already instructed the government to prepare for the evacuation of residents and to provide affected individuals with necessary information regarding the evolving situation.
