Powerful tsunami of 10 meters. Earthquake off the coast of Tokyo
Tokyo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - A powerful tsunami is hitting the northeast coast of the island of Honshu after a "mega" earthquake struck Japan, shaking buildings for several minutes as far as Tokyo, forcing people on to the streets and to flee to the hills for fear of tidal waves.
The Japanese weather agency issued a tsunami alert, warning of possible surges of about 10 meters high. Local television showed boats, cars, homes dragged hundreds of feet by the wall of water caused by the tsunami.
The 7.9 magnitude earthquake (with a second quake of 8.8) hit around 3pm local time with an epicentre in the sea, about 400 km northeast of Tokyo. The first reports say there are many injured in Miyagi prefecture, which even yesterday was hit by the quake.
High-speed trains were stopped due to aftershocks and even nuclear power stations have been temporarily closed. In the city of Sendai there are reports of many blackouts and fires due to broken gas pipes. Narita Airport in the capital, was closed.
The tsunami warning also applies to the coasts of Russia, Indonesia, the Philippines and the Mariana Islands.
.png)
12/02/2016 15:14
