[Watch] 7.1-Magnitude Quakes Hit Japan, Tsunami Alert Issued

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Japan: A massive 7.1-magnitude earthquake has struck western Japan on Thursday. Following this, the authorities in Japan have issued a tsunami warning for several regions, according to reports. Officials were monitoring the situation to assess the potential damage and risks.

The southwestern islands of Kyushu and Shikoku have been worst-affected.

The tsunami advisory has been issued for Miyazaki, Kochi, Oita, Kagoshima and Ehime prefectures, reported the India Today. In Miyazaki prefecture on Kyushu, 20-centimetre high waves were observed, according to Reuters.

The first quake struck at a depth of 33 kilometres, followed by a second one at a depth of 25 kilometres, the United States Geological Survey said.

The Japanese government has already set up a special task force in response to the quakes, reports claimed.
Meanwhile, the social media was flooded with reports of massive damages and purported footage showing the earthquake impacts.