An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 hit northern Japan on Tuesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, issuing tsunami advisories for much of the nation’s northern Pacific coast.
The epicentre of the earthquake, which was felt in Tokyo, was off the coast of Fukushima prefecture at a depth of about 10 kilometres, the agency said.
Here is footage of the earthquake:
Usuarios comparten impactantes videos del terremoto de 7,3 en Fukushima – #Japón ► https://t.co/0kl8bRmPu5 pic.twitter.com/LZmbEZ0QH9
— Canal N (@canalN_) November 21, 2016
Here is ABC’s live feed of the tsunami in Japan:
NHK has reported the water cooling system seems to have stopped at the Fukushima Daini where thousands of fuel rods are kept.
Officials are investigating what has happened with the system.
There are reports a 90 centimetre tsunami was observed at 6.49am at Onahama Port in Fukushima and higher waves are expected, even up to three metres.
Tsunami warning still in effect following M7.3 quake at 0:500. People should stay away from coastal area near Fukushima; seek high ground.
— The Japan Times (@japantimes) November 21, 2016
Residents are being urged to evacuate immediately and tsunami sirens are sounding.-SBS
UPDATE: Fukushima reactor cooling system fails following quake & tsunami – reports
According to the Nuclear Regulatory Agency the cooling system servicing the Unit 3 spent fuel pool is not able to circulate water to cool the nuclear fuel because of a broken pump.
Although the heat in the pool is slowly rising, the agency said that at such a pace the heat is unlikely to rise to a “dangerous level” in any “foreseeable future.”
According to NHK, cooling equipment for the spent nuclear fuel pool in the reactor No. 3 of Tepco's Fukushima No. 2 power plant has stopped.
— The Japan Times (@japantimes) November 21, 2016
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) told national broadcaster NHK that the cooling system in the Reactor 3 spent fuel pool stopped working. Japan’s national nuclear agency has confirmed that the temperature rise in the pool is “gradual.” The exact cause of the cooling system stoppage is currently unknown. However, the system might have been “shaken” during the earthquake, according to nuclear agency officials, as reported by NHK. No cooling water leaks or any other “abnormalities” have been reported. –RT