Japan issued a tsunami warning on Monday after an earthquake with magnitude of 6.9 struck the southwestern part of the country. The quake struck around 9:19 pm local time with an epicenter in Miyazaki. Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes because of its location along the ‘Ring of Fire’ — an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.
"Tsunami can strike repeatedly. Please do not enter the sea or go near coastal areas," the Japan Meteorological Agency wrote on X.
According to the Japanese Meteorological Agency, tsunami warnings have been issued for Miyazaki Prefecture, the southwestern island of Kyushu and nearby Kochi Prefecture. Residents have been to stay away from coastal areas because of the looming threat.
Weather agencies also confirmed the detection of two small tsunamis of around 20 centimetres at two ports in the region. Public broadcaster NHK TV said a tsunami, estimated to be as high as 1 metre high, reached land within 30 minutes of the quake. Meanwhile the waters detected at Miyazaki Port reportedly measured 20 cm high.
Authorities said the quake was centred at a depth of 30 km and shook a wide area in Kyushu — the main island in the southwestern part of the country. The extent of damage was not immediately clear. Residents in the coastal city in Kochi were told to evacuate as a precautionary measure.
Local media reported no immediate injuries, with live television feeds from the region on public broadcaster NHK showing no visible damage as well as calm seas, vessels operating and traffic running normally.
The developments come exactly a year after Japan faced its biggest jolt in over a decade on amid New Year's Day 2024 celebrations. The 7.5-magnitude quake had struck the Noto peninsula and killed nearly 470 people.
(With inputs from agencies)
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