Japan earthquake: Thousands in shelters overnight after tsunami warnings

A powerful earthquake in Japan has resulted in thousands of individuals seeking refuge in evacuation centres for the night. Reports from Kyodo news agency suggest that at least two individuals have tragically lost their lives, with the death toll expected to rise in the coming days. Numerous buildings across several towns have collapsed, leaving an unknown number of people trapped beneath the debris.

The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7. 6, occurred at approximately 16:10 local time on Monday. Following the quake, tsunami warnings were issued, but were later downgraded. In the aftermath of the initial quake, around 60 tremors have been recorded. A tourist in Japan's Hakuba Alps reported that his entire hotel room was shaking due to the quake. He expressed concerns about potential avalanches, although no reports of such incidents have been received.

A British citizen, who was in the coastal city of Toyama when the earthquake struck, described his experience as a 'scary afternoon and evening'. He had to grab onto a sea wall to maintain his balance before seeking safety on a school roof. He mentioned that the aftershocks made it difficult for him to sleep. Another individual, a lecturer at Kanda University, reported feeling tremors for about two minutes, despite being in Yokohama, which is on the other side of Japan's main island. He described the quake as 'very, very serious'.