A tsunami warning has been lifted for the northeastern region of Japan following a strong 7.3-magnitiude earthquake that struck off the coast of Miyagi prefecture.
The earthquake rattled the coast of Japan just after 5 p.m. local time. Tsunami waves were recorded in at least five different locations – the largest in Ishinomaki was measured at 3 feet, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
There was never a risk of widespread tsunami warnings, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
All flights were grounded at the Sendai airport, and travelers were evacuated to higher grounds in the terminal, according to an official.
No damage has been reported at monitoring posts and water treatment facilities at all reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant, according to the Tokyo Electric Power Company. Following the tsunami warning, all the workers were moved to higher ground on the site and told to stay inside.
Buildings in Tokyo swayed for at least several minutes after the earthquake. About two hours after the quake struck, the tsunami warning was lifted.
Japan's NHK news reported that 10 people were transported to the hospital including a 75-year-old woman in Ishinomaki who fell while trying to evacuate to higher ground.
The northeast region of Japan was hit with a magnitude-9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami March 11, 2011 that killed or left missing some 19,000 people.
All but two of Japan's nuclear plants were shut down for checks after the earthquake and tsunami caused meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear plant.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Tsunami Warning Lifted in Japan After Quake
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Tsunami Warning Lifted in Japan After Quake
