Taiwan and Philippines join Japan in issuing tsunami warnings after earthquake

Taiwan and the Philippines issued tsunami warnings, following Japan’s example, due to an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale.

Japan’s meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for the islands of Okinawa, Miyakojima and Yaeyama, according to Japanese public television NHK.

The agency appealed to residents living along the coast to seek refuge in higher places “as quickly as possible”, due to the possibility of waves up to three meters high forming around 10 am (2 am in Lisbon).

The earthquake, which occurred around 9:00 am (1:00 am in Portugal) was also felt in Taipei, the island’s press reported.

Official figures point to four deaths.

“The earthquake could trigger a tsunami that will affect Taiwan. A tsunami warning is issued to remind residents of coastal areas to remain vigilant,” according to a safety message sent to the island’s cell phones.

The Philippine Institute of Seismology also warned of “strong tsunami waves” and called on the population to abandon the coastal areas of 23 provinces and choose “higher locations or move inland”.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning for the southern islands of Okinawa, Miyakojima and Yaeyama, Japanese public television NHK reported.

The Japanese agency appealed to residents living along the coast to seek refuge in higher places “as soon as possible”, due to the possibility of waves up to three meters high starting at 10:00 (02:00 in Lisbon). ).

The first earthquake was followed by an aftershock measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The mayor of Taipei, Chiang Wanan, declared the disaster response center in Taiwan’s capital level two and asked citizens to be careful and watch out for possible new aftershocks.