Earthquake hits Japan: Urgent warning over possible three-metre Tsunami as locals evacuated
A MASSIVE earthquake has left millions fleeing their homes as a three-metre-high Tsunami is expected.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued the warning for the areas around Okinawa Island, Miyakojima Island and Yaeyama Island.
“Tsunami waves are approaching the coasts. Evacuate as quickly as possible. Waves can hit repeatedly. Continue to evacuate until all warnings are lifted,” the meteorological agency said.
The quake off the coast of southwestern Japan has caused power outages in parts of Taiwan.
And a Tsunami warning has been issued in the Philippines.
The quake has been described as "very shallow", which can cause more damage.
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JMA forecast a tsunami of up to three meters (9.8 feet) after the quake hit at 7.58am local time.
About half an hour later, it said the first wave of the tsunami was already believed to have arrived on the coasts of Miyako and Yaeyama islands.
The earthquake was felt across the island, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration agency.
It measured 7.2 at the epicentre and around four at its weakest.
Television showed buildings in Taiwan's eastern city of Hualien shaken off their foundations. The quake could be felt in the capital Taipei.
Photographs show how the quake triggered massive landslides and caused buildings to crumble.
It comes after a magnitude 9 earthquake hit the country in March 2011, the strongest in the country's history and triggering a massive tsunami.
