Japan Met Agency lifts tsunami warnings issued after quakes

TOKYO - The Japan Meteorological Agency on Wednesday lifted a tsunami warning that was issued for the country's southern islands after a series of powerful earthquakes hit the eastern coast of Taiwan, reported Sputnik. 

At the moment, the islands of Japan's Okinawa Prefecture are coloured in blue on a map of the region on the agency's website, which means the area may see changes in the elevation of coastal waters.

On Wednesday morning, a series of powerful earthquakes was recorded off Taiwan.

A spokesperson for the Japan Meteorological Agency said the strongest earthquake had a magnitude of 7.7. It was followed by a 6.6-magnitude earthquake and a 6.3-magnitude earth tremor, according to data from the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Social media users posted videos on X showing that several buildings in Taiwan tilted and were partially destroyed.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told journalists that no damage and casualties in Japan have so far been reported, adding that the government continues to gather information.

Tremors were also felt in the southern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa. After the earthquakes, tsunami warnings were issued for the Japanese southern islands of Okinawa, Miyako and Yaeyama.

The meteorological agency said tsunami waves could reach as high as three metres (10 feet).

Japanese media reported that a 0.3-metre-high tsunami wave reached the island of Yonaguni, and a small wave also reached the port of Ishigaki.

The Japanese government established a headquarters to collect and analyse information after powerful earthquakes near Taiwan and the tsunami warnings for Japan's southern islands.

The offence was allegedly committed at Tender Room, Public Private Partnership Unit, Ministry of Finance, Precinct 2, Persiaran Perdana, Putrajaya between Feb 27 and 28, 2019.

The charge, under Section 420 of the Penal Code, provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years, with whipping, and a fine, upon conviction.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Jumaat suggested bail of RM2 million in one surety, with condition that he surrendered his passport, reported himself to the MACC office every month and did not interfere with witnesses directly or through third parties.

Tan's lawyer Datuk Wan Azmir Wan Majid did not oppose the bail sum.

"Please allow my client to report to the MACC office once every three months because he suffers from various illnesses including high blood pressure, knee and back pain. My client is also not a flight risk," he said.

Suzana allowed Tan bail of RM2 million in one surety on condition that he did not interfere with witnesses and reported himself to the MACC office once every two months.

The court set June 4 for mention of the case. - BERNAMA