Thousands Flee as Earthquake Sparks Japan Tsunami Alert

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THOUSANDS of people fled a tsunami heading for northern Japan today.

Warnings were broadcast on all TV channels and radio stations ordering people to move to higher ground.

Water levels along the coast dropped - triggering memories of the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 which killed at least 230,000 people.

The alert was sounded after an earthquake in the Pacific was reported measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale.

Anything of magnitude seven and above is classified as a major earthquake capable of widespread damage.

A wave 6ft high was predicted to hit the northernmost islands of Hokkaido and Honshu.

First reports said that it was just …