In Japan, a powerful 6.6-magnitude quake struck in the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido early on Thursday. The quake left eight people dead and about dozens missing. The quake also damaged homes and triggered landslides.
Moments after the initial quake, an aftershock measuring 5.3 hit the area followed by dozens of aftershocks.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said after an emergency cabinet meeting that the government will do their best to save lives.
Government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said that around 20,000 rescue workers, including police and members of the Self-Defence Forces, were involved in relief work.
