Key facts
- A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture in southern Japan.
- A shopping complex's second floor collapsed, trapping people inside.
- A tsunami warning was issued and subsequently lifted.
- Tens of thousands of households lost electricity.
- High-speed rail services were suspended.
- No irregularities were detected at nearby nuclear power plants.
A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture in southern Japan on Tuesday afternoon, originating on the seabed off the coast at a depth of approximately ten kilometers. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported the quake and initially issued a tsunami warning, which was later lifted. The tremor caused a shopping complex's second floor to collapse in Kashima town, trapping many people inside. Approximately 50 individuals were transported to the hospital, though immediate reports of widespread damage were absent. Tens of thousands of households on the island of Kyushu experienced power outages, and high-speed rail services, including the Shinkansen bullet trains, were suspended in the affected region. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged the public to stay away from the coast and announced the formation of a government taskforce to assess damage and prepare rescue operations. Warnings were issued for several prefectures, with around 150,000 people advised to seek shelter. Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority stated that no issues were detected at three nuclear power plants located near the earthquake zone. The quake was also felt in parts of South Korea.