6.8-magnitude earthquake jolts Japan's east coast: Tsunami Warning

6.8-magnitude earthquake jolts Japan
# 18 June 2019 17:41 (UTC +04:00)

A 6.8-magnitude tremor hit in Japan's Niigata Prefecture just off the coast of the main island on Tuesday. ​Japan's Meteorological Agency reported that the earthquake struck 85 kilometres north-east of the city of Niigata, APA reports citing the USGS.

Japan's meteorological agency has issued an advisory for a 0.2-1.0 metre tsunami along the northwest coast of Honshu Island.

A tsunami may have come to Niigata and Yamagata Prefectures, with an expected height of 3 feet, according to the NHK broadcaster.

The earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres with shocks being felt throughout most of Niigata Prefecture.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties caused by the quake.

According to Kyodo news agency, PM Shinzo Abe's office set up an emergency unit to address the powerful tremor.

Japanese officials immediately suspended bullet train services in the region, according to the NHK broadcaster.

Calls are not getting through to the city office, police and fire departments in the city of Murakami in Japan’s Niigata prefecture, which has seen a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, local media reported on Tuesday.

About 200 households have reportedly been left without power. Tokyo Electric Power Co is checking whether the earthquake in Japan caused anomalies at the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear power reactors, the outlet reported.

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