Buildings collapse, trapping residents, and fires break out but tsunami warning lowered after series of major earthquakes in Japan
The first reports of injuries are coming in from hospitals, including broken bones, but no fatalities have been confirmed so far.
Fires have broken out in what appear to be homes on the Noto peninsula.
Another earthquake, estimated at magnitude 5, struck at 6pm local time, triggering further warnings for residents.
Buildings and other structures weakened by the earlier quakes are particularly vulnerable to aftershocks.
Here is a map from the United States Geological Survey of the earthquakes in Japan.
You can access the map and more data here.
Twenty earthquakes of magnitude 4 or stronger have struck off the coast of Ishikawa and neighbouring Niigata prefectures between 4.06pm and 5.29pm local time.
The strongest earthquake is now estimated at magnitude 7.5.
Blackouts and burst water mains have been reported in towns in the affected area, while major roads are being closed due to cracks and other damage.
Tsunami advisories have been issued for as far north as the island of Hokkaido and as far south as the island of Kyushu.
More images are coming in from Japan.
Footage from Wajima city showing collapsed and damaged houses, and huge cracks in roads has been broadcast by NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster.
The damage appears to be the result of the earthquake rather than the 1.2 metre tsunami that struck the area.
The prime minister, Fumio Kishida, arrived at his office at 5.15pm local time to assess the damage and lead the government’s response.
Russian authorities have issued a tsunami alert for the western coast of Sakhalin.
An evacuation is under way, the regional emergencies department said, Tass reported.
Fumio Kishida, Japan’s prime minister, has called on residents in affected areas to evacuate immediately, Reuters reported.
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.
A government spokesperson, meanwhile, cautioned residents to prepare for possible further quakes.
Here is a map published by the Japanese Meteorological Agency showing its latest warnings by area.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency said that “major tsunami warnings are currently in effect for coastal regions of Japan”.
On its website, the agency provided a list of regional alerts.
A series of earthquakes hit Japan today, triggering tsunami alerts.
One of the earthquakes had a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, Reuters reported.
The Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV said torrents of water could reach as high as 5 metres, the Associated Press reported. The public broadcaster urged people to flee to high land or the top of a nearby building.
