Japan Issues Tsunami Warning After Strong Earthquakes

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent

TOKYO (Worthy News) – Japanese authorities told residents on New Year’s Day to evacuate from the west coast after deadly earthquakes prompted the nation’s meteorological agency to issue tsunami warnings for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama.

At least one man died following a building collapse in Ishikawa prefecture, and more than a handful of people were reported to be trapped under the rubble of collapsed houses.

Fires have broken out in what appear to be homes on the Noto Peninsula. Another earthquake, estimated at magnitude 5, struck at 6 pm local time, triggering further warnings to residents.

Buildings and other structures weakened by the earlier quakes are particularly vulnerable to aftershocks, officials said.

Fires broke out in what appear to be homes on the Noto Peninsula. Another earthquake, estimated at magnitude 5, struck at 6 pm local time, triggering further warnings to residents.

Buildings and other structures weakened by the earlier quakes are particularly vulnerable to aftershocks, officials said.

SMALLER NUMBERS

Japan’s meteorological agency initially reported that a seven-magnitude earthquake occurred at about 11 pm local time but later said this number was smaller, with an intensity of 3.

An aftershock of magnitude 5 hit the Noto peninsula at 8.35 pm local time, leading to alerts being issued to residents to beware of already weakened buildings and structures collapsing.

The tsunami warning in Japan was later downgraded to a tsunami advisory. But people were warned they should remain alert for more possible earthquakes.

Nearby, North Korea issued a tsunami warning for its eastern coast, while South Korea warned of rising sea levels.

Fires have broken out in what appear to be homes on the Noto Peninsula. Another earthquake, estimated at magnitude 5, struck at 6 pm local time, triggering further warnings to residents.

Buildings and other structures weakened by the earlier quakes are particularly vulnerable to aftershocks, officials said.

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