Watch | First waves of tsunami crash on Japan’s coasts after quake jolts western region

After a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck north-central Japan, residents witnessed tsunami waves hitting the coastal areas on Monday afternoon. Urgent evacuation warnings have been issued in several areas.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in a televised address, asked citizens to follow evacuation orders closely and warned that more powerful quakes and tsunami waves might follow the initial ones.

Visuals of the first waves of tsunami crashing the coastal areas of Japan surfaced on the internet.

Watch:

BREAKING: Tsunami waves begin to wash up on parts of Japan’s western coastpic.twitter.com/dFIRQ95yJy

— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) January 1, 2024

“Waves of 80 cm reached Toyama Prefecture around 4.35 pm and waves of 0.4 meters also reached Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, at 4.36 pm. It also reached Niigata’s Sado Island at 4.10 pm,” The Japan Times said in a report.

Shared by a Japanese person in today’s earthquake zone: “This is my first time seeing a tsunami. (I’ve already evacuated to high ground)” pic.twitter.com/2ZjyIqCfK4

— Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@mrjeffu) January 1, 2024

The powerful earthquake which hit earlier in the day also caused damage in several areas including Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture.

Another video from the earthquake that hit Japan today: It looks like the sidewalk slabs were being lifted out of the ground by the force of the quake. pic.twitter.com/4W3ZkoCu1x

— Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@mrjeffu) January 1, 2024

Bullet trains in the area were halted. Parts of the highway were also closed, and water pipes had burst, according to local media reports.

Here is another frightening video showing what it was like inside Kanazawa station when the earthquake hit today. Many people were probably visiting to see family for the holidays, or visit Ishikawa’s tourist attractions. pic.twitter.com/pO7mcgDQuJ https://t.co/hckFOJqBOB

— Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@mrjeffu) January 1, 2024

Japan Meteorological Agency said in a nationally broadcast news conference that more major quakes could hit the area over the next week, especially in the next two or three days.

As per Japan’s meteorological agency, this is the first such major tsunami warning issued in the country since 2011. In March 2011, more than 18,000 people died or went missing as a tsunami triggered by a massive quake engulfed coastal areas of northeastern Japan.

Video: a Japanese driver stopped their car during today’s earthquake and observed river water swaying back and forth. pic.twitter.com/uBAqT7mX6b

— Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@mrjeffu) January 1, 2024

The Japanese government has set up a special emergency centre to gather information on the quakes and tsunami and relay them speedily to residents to ensure safety, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said.

— With inputs from Reuters

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