KUALA LUMPUR – There have been no reports of Malaysians being harmed by the series of strong earthquakes that shook parts of Japan today, said the Malaysian embassy in Tokyo.
In a statement today, the embassy also extended its deepest sympathies and condolences to the victims and families affected by the earthquake, as well as to the Japanese government.
“As of the most recent report, no Malaysian has been reported to be involved or affected by the earthquake.
“Malaysians in the affected areas are advised to remain vigilant and follow the latest updates and advice issued by the local authorities,” the embassy added.
Meanwhile, in a message to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, the Malaysian chief representative in Tokyo informed that Malaysian students in Ishikawa, Niigata, Toyama and Fukui were safe.
“Students in Ishikawa, particularly Kanazawa, have already been evacuated to higher ground at high schools and are waiting for further necessary information.
“Students in Niigata had initially evacuated at a university but since there is no concern (about) the possible warning, they have returned to their respective homes,” the message said, as conveyed by Mohamad to Scoop.
Earlier today, it was reported that a major 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa, causing the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue major tsunami warnings.
The warnings were issued by the weather agency to people in the Noto region as well as the Niigata, Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures of the Japan Sea side of the country.
The latest major temblor occurred at 4.10pm local time (3.10pm in Malaysia) at a shallow depth.
Following the earthquake, which also struck Japan’s west coast, South Korea this evening reported small tsunamis in the waters off its east-coast province of Gangwon. – December 1, 2023