A massive earthquake has struck off the north-east coast of Japan. Measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale the quake has set off a tsunami with waves measuring at least 4m. The world’s television channels have shown images of boats and cars being washed away. There are reports of injuries.
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Latest: Tsunami warning includes Hawaii!
Cars, ships and buildings swept away
Officials said the wave could be 10m in places (33ft), and heavy casualties are feared.
The quake struck about 400km from Tokyo at a depth of 36km, shaking the capital.
News24 reports that TV pictures showed a vast wall of water carrying buildings and debris across a large swathe of coastal farmland.
Public broadcaster NHK showed flames and black smoke billowing from a building in Odaiba, a Tokyo suburb, and bullet trains to the north of the country were halted.
Black smoke was also pouring out of an industrial area in Yokohama’s Isogo area. TV footage showed boats, cars and trucks floating in water after a small tsunami hit the town of Kamaichi in northern Japan. An overpass, location unknown, appeared to have collapsed into the water.
The Los Angeles Times reports that a widespread tsunami warning is in effect for much of the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii, where authorities have warned damage could occur along the coasts of all islands.
Sirens sounded across Oahu just before 10pm local time. Waves of up to 2m above sea level could hit Hawaii, Chip McCreary of the the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center told reporters.