7.3 magnitude quake hits Japan, Fukushima residents urged to flee

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7.3 magnitude quake hits Japan, Fukushima residents urged to flee


An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 hit northern Japan on Tuesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, issuing tsunami advisories for much of the nation's northern Pacific coast.

The epicenter of the earthquake, which was felt in Tokyo, was off the coast of Fukushima prefecture at a depth of about 10 km, the agency said.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injury.

(Writing by William Mallard; Editing Richard Balmforth)

 

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A tsunami of up to 1.4 meters (4.5 feet) had been observed around Sendai, about 70 km (45 miles) north of Fukushima, with smaller waves hitting ports elsewhere along the coast, public broadcaster NHK said.
Television footage showed ships moving out to sea from harbors as tsunami warning signals wailed, after warnings of waves of up to 3 meters (10 feet) were issued.

"We saw high waves but nothing that went over the tidal barriers," a man in the city of Iwaki told NTV television network.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said the tsunami threat had now largely passed.

"Sea level fluctuations may continue along some coasts of Japan over the next few hours," it said.

The U.S. Geological Survey measured Tuesday's quake at magnitude 6.9, down from an initial 7.3.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-quake-idUSKBN13G2DC