UPDATE - Series of powerful earthquakes strike Japan, triggering tsunami alert

UPDATE WITH MORE STATEMENTS FROM JAPANESE OFFICIALS, KOREAN AUTHORITIES

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Three successive strong earthquakes with magnitudes of 5.7, 6.1, and 7.6 jolted Japan on Monday, leading to a tsunami warning.

“There was an earthquake at around 16:18. The epicenter was in the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture, and a maximum seismic intensity of 5+ was observed. Do not approach dangerous areas where the shaking was strong,” said the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) on X.

“Currently, a major tsunami warning has been announced for Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture,” JMA added.

Tsunami alerts were also issued for the prefectures of Niigata, Toyama, Yamagata, Fukui, and Hyogo along the coast of the Japan Sea, said Japan’s broadcast NHK World.

All residents near the coastal line have been asked to leave immediately, the NHK reported.

"Tsunami waves may be higher than estimated and are expected to hit repeatedly. Keep evacuating to even higher ground wherever possible and do not leave the safe area until the warning is lifted,” Cabinet office in charge of disaster prevention said on X.

There are no reports of irregularities at the nuclear power plants in the area, according to NHK.

South Korean authorities on Monday also issued alerts on rising sea levels in parts of the East Sea also known as Sea of Japan in Tokyo following strong earthquakes off Japan’s west coast, local media said.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said a tsunami in Japan could cause a rise in sea levels off the east coast of South Korea, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.