A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake has struck southern Japan, triggering a brief tsunami advisory and causing panic across the region. The quake hit Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu island, with the Japan Meteorological Agency recording the highest possible seismic intensity level of 7 in the hardest-hit areas.
Tokyo: The earthquake struck at around 4:27 p.m. local time at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers. The epicenter was located in western Kumamoto, approximately 900 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, according to official reports.
Following the quake, authorities issued a tsunami advisory for the coasts of the Ariake Sea and the Yatsushiro Sea. The warning urged residents to stay away from the ocean and coastal areas. However, the advisory was lifted within two hours after no significant tsunami was detected.
Reports indicate that several people were injured, with some accounts suggesting up to 50 injuries, though most were described as non-life-threatening. The shaking caused buildings to sway and sent people rushing to safety, but there were no immediate reports of major structural damage or collapsed buildings.
Transportation services were heavily disrupted. Kyushu Railway Company suspended all train services, including the Kyushu Shinkansen, to ensure safety. Emergency alerts were activated across multiple prefectures, including Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Fukuoka and Saga.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to avoid the coastline and remain vigilant. Authorities are continuing to assess the situation and monitor for possible aftershocks. Regional nuclear plants reported no abnormalities following the quake.
