Small tsunamis hit Japan's southeast coast

Small tsunamis hit Japan's southeast coast on Sunday morning after powerful earthquakes struck Indonesia overnight. There were no reports
of damage.

Japan's Meteorological Agency said tsunamis of 4 inches (10 centimeters) to 16 inches (40 centimeters) in height splashed ashore in towns along the coast. It also warned that bigger tsunamis were possible later.

Government officials said there were no reports of damage, and television broadcasts of the coastal areas showed calm beaches and cars driving as normal on roads near the ocean.

A series of powerful earthquakes in remote eastern Indonesia overnight triggered the tsunamis.

Officials and witnesses in Indonesia said the 7.6-magnitude quake and 7.5 aftershock killed at least three people, injured dozens, and badly damaged buildings.

The Japanese Meteorological Agency earlier issued tsunami warnings for a wide swath of Japan's southeast coast for tsunamis up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) high, prompting city officials to warn people to stay away from the ocean.

A huge quake off western Indonesia caused the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed about 230,000 people, more than half of them in Sumatra.