Japan simultaneously issued a tsunami warning after a major earthquake off the coast of Taiwan (China)

A massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck near Taiwan (China) just before 9 a.m. Japan time Wednesday (April 3), prompting a tsunami warning to be issued for the southern islands. Japan

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said a tsunami up to 3 meters high was expected to immediately hit remote Japanese islands near Taiwan (China), including Miyakojima Island . "Evacuation!" said a banner on national broadcaster NHK.

Map showing the location of the earthquake (X) and islands at risk of being hit by a tsunami (red). (Graphic photo: Kyodo).

'The tsunami is coming. Please evacuate immediately,' an NHK announcer said. "Don't stop. Don't turn back." The JMA said a 30cm high tsunami hit Yonaguni Island at 9:18 am.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4, with the epicenter 18km south of Taiwan's Hualien city at a depth of 34.8km. According to a witness, the strong earthquake knocked out power in some areas of the city.

"The earthquake may cause a tsunami affecting Taiwan. The tsunami warning is issued to remind people in coastal areas to be vigilant," the local government's emergency notice said. .

According to Kyodo, passengers were urgently evacuated from Naha Airport in Okinawa after the tsunami warning, and flights were also suspended at Naha Airport in Okinawa after the strong earthquake.

Earthquakes frequently occur in Japan, one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Japan accounts for about one-fifth of the world's earthquakes with magnitude 6 or higher.

On March 11, 2011, the northeast coast of Japan was hit by a magnitude 9 earthquake. This disaster caused the world's worst nuclear crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The island of Taiwan (China) is also frequently shaken by earthquakes. A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck near Hualien in 2018, killing at least 17 people and injuring more than 300 others. In 1999, a major earthquake killed up to 2,400 people on the island.