A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan’s northern coast, the US Geological Survey reported, prompting Tokyo to issue a tsunami warning and advice people to seek safety, Anadolu Agency reported citing the local media.
The earthquake was recorded at around 11.15 pm local time (1415GMT) and was measured at a depth of 53.1 kilometers (nearly 33 miles) off the coast of northern Aomori prefecture, said the US Geological Survey.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the intensity of the earthquake was higher than 6 on Japan’s domestic measuring scale of 0 to 7.
The agency issued a tsunami warning for prefectures Aomori, Iwate, and Hokkaido’s Central Pacific Coast, as well as a tsunami advisory for prefectures Miyagi, Fukushima, and Hokkaido’s West and East Pacific Coast, and advised people to evacuate to safer areas, according to the public broadcaster NHK.
Waves up to 70 centimeters (27.5 inches) were reportedly seen in Iwate, 50 centimeters (19.6 inches) in Hokkaido, and 40 centimeters (15.7 inches) in Aomori.
Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate are expected to receive 3 meters (9.8 feet) high tsunamis.
One person was injured after a road collapsed in Aomori, and two people in Hokkaido were injured in falls due to the strong jolt, according to the Kyodo News.
The earthquake also caused power outages in about 2,700 homes in Aomori. Two separate fires were reported in the area, and it is being investigated whether they are related to the tremors.
No abnormality was detected at the Tomari nuclear plant in Hokkaido after the quake.
Authorities have halted Tohoku Shinkansen train services in northeastern Japan due to the quake.
The government has also set up an emergency response room in the Prime Minister’s Office in response to the earthquake, the office said through US social media company X.