Tsunami Warning Issued in Japan After Strong Earthquake Hits Near Southwestern Japanese Island
The advisory was in place for parts of the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku in the south after quakes of 6.9 and 7.1 were reported.
Tsunami waves began arriving along a broad span of the coast in southern Japan after back-to-back earthquakes of magnitude 6.9 and 7.1 were reported Thursday afternoon.
A tsunami advisory was issued for coastal regions on the southern Japanese islands of Kyushu and Shikoku, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, said the advisories, for an expected height of a meter, were for the Miyazaki, Kochi and other nearby prefectures.
About half an hour later, NHK reported that the first waves had reached the coast of Miyazaki, but more were expected. The Japan Meteorological Agency issues tsunami advisories for expected waves up to one meter, at a strength that could capsize small vessels. Under advisories, people are advised to leave coastal areas.
The first earthquake occurred less than 20 miles off the coast of Miyazaki on Kyushu, according to the United States Geological Survey. According to the agency, a stronger earthquake of magnitude 7.1 followed less than a minute later.
NHK reported that inside its offices in Miyazaki, nothing had fallen over but that people were struggling to stand on the second floor. The police chief of the city of Nichinan in Kyushu said no buildings appeared to have collapsed in the area, according to the broadcaster.
The Kyushu Electric Power Company said its nuclear power plants were operating normally.
Source: New York Times
