Tsunami warnings issued following series of earthquakes off Japan’s west coast

JAPAN — Tsunami warnings have been issued in Japan following a series of earthquakes on Monday.

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The Japan Meteorological Agency reported quakes off the coast of Ishikawa and nearby prefectures shortly after 4 p.m. local time, the Associated Press reported.

One of them was a preliminary 7.6, according to both the AP and CBS News.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the Noto region, on the western side of Japan’s main island of Honshu, was hit by a rapid series of about 20 quakes in total.

The first quake was a 5.7 magnitude temblor at around 4:06 p.m. local time. It was followed by the major 7.6 quake just four minutes later.

The other quakes registered at 6.1 at 4:18 p.m., a 4.5 at 4:23 p.m., a 4.6 magnitude quake at 4:29 p.m., and a 4.8 magnitude quake at 4:32, CBS news said.

Japan has issued a tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of the western coast of Japan’s main island of Honshu.

CNN is also reporting that Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, has urged people living in areas under tsunami warnings in Japan to evacuate to higher ground.

Footage from Japanese public broadcaster NHK has shown cameras shaking vigorously as waves slammed into the coastline when the quake hit Ishikawa prefecture.

We will continue to provide updates on this developing story.

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