A false alarm warning of the most powerful earthquake in history caused widespread panic across Japan earlier today. Shortly after midday, 4am UK time, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) triggered an urgent alert for a massive magnitude 9.9 earthquake.
Alert Details and Retraction
Residents were informed that an unprecedented super earthquake had hit the Kuril Islands at 12:36pm local time, with severe tremors expected to affect Hokkaido, Tohoku, and the Kanto region.
The government quickly retracted the alert roughly eight minutes after it went out, officially cancelling it at 12:48pm.
Ongoing Coverage
This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly with the latest news, pictures and videos.
You can also get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters.
Get all the very best headlines, pictures, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following Daily Star every time you see our name.
Follow Daily Star on Android - CLICK HERE
Follow Daily Star on Apple - CLICK HERE
Follow Daily Star on Snapchat - CLICK HERE
You can also sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news by following @starbreaksnews and follow us @dailystar for all the latest updates.
Keep up-to-date with your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day by following us on Facebook at facebook.com/thedailystar.
