Video Clip Tsunami warning issued as 7.6 magnitude earthquake hits Japan

Tsunami warning issued as 7.6 magnitude earthquake hits Japan

A series of powerful earthquakes have hit Ishikawa and nearby areas. Buildings have collapsed and tens of thousands of homes are without power - with people being urged to flee to high ground due to the tsunami threat.

Japan has issued a tsunami warning after a series of strong earthquakes.

The quakes hit Ishikawa and nearby areas, with one having a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

There are reports of people trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings and tens of thousands of homes are without power - with people being urged to flee to high ground due to the tsunami threat.

The tsunami warning has been issued for Ishikawa and nearby prefectures, along with lower-level warnings or advisories for the rest of the western coast of the island of Honshu.

A tsunami over 1.2m high struck Noto in Ishikawa, a spokesperson for the meteorological agency said.

They added there was a risk of fires, houses collapsing and landslides in areas hit by strong quakes and urged members of the public not to return to dangerous areas for at least a week.

At least 30 buildings in Ishikawa have collapsed so far, a local fire department in Wajima City said.

Waves up to 3m predicted

Waves up to 3m high were predicted, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK, which urged people to flee to high ground or the tops of nearby buildings as quickly as possible.

It warned tsunami waves could keep returning and warned more strong quakes could occur in the area over the coming days. Several aftershocks rocked the region.

Residents urged to evacuate

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged residents facing the tsunami threat to evacuate immediately following the earthquake.

"Residents need to stay on alert for further possible quakes and I urge people in areas where tsunamis are expected to evacuate as soon as possible," he said.

Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said it was critical for people in coastal areas to get away from the oncoming tsunami.

"Every minute counts. Please evacuate to a safe area immediately," he said.

No irregularities reported at nuclear plants

Nuclear power plants in the area had not reported any irregularities, Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority said.

More than 36,000 households lost power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, utilities provider Hokuriku Electric Power said.

High speed rail services to Ishikawa have been suspended while Japanese airline ANA turned back planes headed to airports in Toyama and Ishikawa and Japan Airlines cancelled most of its services to Niigata and Ishikawa regions.