A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan’s Kyushu region at 4.27pm on Tuesday, registering the maximum shindo 7 on the country’s seismic intensity scale and causing widespread damage.
About 30 minutes later, an aftershock measuring up to lower 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale struck the same area, prompting authorities to warn residents to remain alert for further strong earthquakes.
Public broadcaster NHK aired footage showing several collapsed buildings near the epicentre. The fire department in Uki City reported receiving numerous emergency calls after multiple fires broke out across the city.
Significant damage was also reported on highway overpasses along the Kyushu Expressway in Yatsushiro. NHK reported that part of a pedestrian bridge had collapsed in the city, while an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima appeared to have partially collapsed. There were also unconfirmed reports of an explosion at the site.
Authorities urge continued vigilance
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents in the affected areas to remain vigilant, warning that another earthquake of similar magnitude could occur.
She said reports had already indicated that people had been injured, although the full extent of the damage was still being assessed.
An official from the Japan Meteorological Agency also urged the public to remain on high alert, noting that the region had previously experienced a series of powerful earthquakes following an initial major tremor.
The official said residents should remain prepared for earthquakes of up to shindo 7 for about one week, particularly during the next two to three days.
He explained that Tuesday’s earthquake originated at a shallow depth on land, indicating active seismic activity that could trigger numerous aftershocks.
According to the agency, the earthquake occurred after two faults moved horizontally in different directions. However, it was still too early to determine whether the latest event was related to the devastating Kumamoto earthquakes in 2016.
The epicentre was located about 20 kilometres from the Hinagu fault zone, which was responsible for the 2016 disaster.
Tsunami advisory lifted
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said no abnormalities had been detected at Japan’s nuclear power plants, including the Sendai nuclear facility in Kagoshima Prefecture.
The Japan Meteorological Agency initially issued a tsunami advisory for coastal areas along the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea, urging residents to stay away from the coastline. The advisory was lifted at 6.10pm.
The strongest shaking, classified as shindo 7, was recorded in Uki City and Hikawa. At this intensity, people are unable to remain standing, unsecured furniture can be thrown about, and reinforced concrete walls may collapse.
This was Japan’s first earthquake registering shindo 7 since the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January 2024.
Strong lower 6 shaking was also recorded in Yatsushiro, Uto, Mashiki, Misato and Kumamoto City’s Minami Ward, while neighbouring prefectures including Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga and Miyazaki also experienced strong tremors.
Power outages and transport disruption
The earthquake’s epicentre was located in Uki City, south of Kumamoto City, at a depth of 10 kilometres.
A researcher living in the area, Shayne Bowden, said he was inside a public library near Kumamoto Station when the earthquake struck.
He described feeling an initial jolt followed by violent shaking that sent his laptop sliding across the desk. Library staff calmly instructed visitors to shelter under desks before evacuating the building.
After leaving the library, Bowden said large crowds had gathered outside Kumamoto Station, convenience stores were packed with customers and some panic buying had begun.
Kyushu Electric said approximately 48,300 households in Kumamoto Prefecture lost electricity following the earthquake. The utility advised residents not to touch fallen power lines and to report any damage.
The earthquake struck just over a decade after two major earthquakes hit Kumamoto in April 2016, killing 278 people and injuring about 2,800 others.
Kumamoto Castle suffered extensive damage during the 2016 disaster, with restoration work expected to continue until 2052.
