The quake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck at 4:10 p.m. on Monday afternoon, prompting people in coastal areas to flee to higher ground as tsunami waves hit Japan‘s western seaboard, sweeping cars and houses into the water.

Around 200 tremors have been detected since the quake first hit on Monday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, which warned more strong shocks could hit in the coming days.