UPDATE - 7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes off Japan's northern coast, triggering tsunami warning

UPDATES WITH DETAILS

By Berk Kutay Gokmen and Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's northern coast, the US Geological Survey reported, prompting Tokyo to issue a tsunami warning and advise people to seek safety.

The earthquake was recorded at around 11.15 p.m. 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 Aomori, Iwate, and Hokkaido's Central Pacific Coast prefectures, 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.

Tsunami up to 50 centimeters (19 inches) were observed in Iwate, and up to 40 cm (15.7 in) Aomori and Hokkaido.

Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate are expected to receive 3 meters (9.8 feet) high tsunamis.

No abnormality was detected at the Tomari nuclear plant in Hokkaido after the quake, according to the Kyodo News.

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.