Tsunami warning issued after powerful earthquake strikes Japan (VIDEOS)

The Japanese authorities have reported that several nuclear power plants have been slightly damaged amid a powerful earthquake and tsunami Read Full Article at RT.com

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Jan 1, 2024 - 18:00
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Tsunami warning issued after powerful earthquake strikes Japan (VIDEOS)

The authorities say the tremors have slightly damaged several nuclear power plants, albeit without hindering their operation

Japan’s western coast was hit by an earthquake followed by a tsunami on Monday. The authorities say that while the natural disaster affected several nuclear power plants to some extent, there have been no signs of any “abnormalities” so far.

In March 2011, the country was battered by devastating tremors and gigantic waves that left 18,000 dead and caused meltdowns at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant – the biggest such incident since the 1986 Chernobyl explosion in Soviet Ukraine.

The initial quake measured seven, the maximum intensity specified by the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Shindo seismic scale, which assesses the tremor’s severity at the surface.

Several aftershocks followed, with the agency issuing a tsunami warning for coastal Ishikawa, Niigata, Toyama, and Yamagata prefectures.

Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida appealed to people living “in areas where tsunamis are expected,” saying “I would like to request that they evacuate as soon as possible.”

According to the national broadcaster NHK, waves in some areas may have reached a height of 5 meters.  

Government spokesman Hayashi Yoshimasa said during an emergency press conference that the authorities were evaluating the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake and warned people to be ready for further tremors.  

Meanwhile, multiple videos posted on social media show cracks in roads, partly collapsed buildings, and a fire.