A magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwest Japan on Tuesday has caused major damage, including building collapses, and injuries, according to initial reports. The quake, which earlier prompted a tsunami alert for coastal areas, is now being assessed for the full extent of the damage. The number of casualties is not yet confirmed.
The magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck southwest Japan on Tuesday, first reported at 11:49 Jerusalem time with a tsunami alert, is now being followed by reports of major damage in Kumamoto Prefecture. Initial reports describe building collapses and injuries, though specific casualty figures are not yet available. The earthquake, registered at the highest level on Japan's Shindo scale, knocked out power to thousands of households, as The Zioneer reported earlier. The Japan Meteorological Agency had issued a tsunami advisory for coastal areas, which remains in effect.
Japan has experienced a series of significant earthquakes in recent weeks. On June 25, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck northeastern Japan, and on June 26, a magnitude 5.6 tremor hit Yamanashi Prefecture near Tokyo. While these events are not necessarily linked, they underscore the high seismic activity in the region. The situation in Kumamoto is developing, and further details on damage and injuries are expected as local authorities assess the affected areas.
4 developments
- DevelopingMagnitude 5.6 earthquake strikes central Japan near Tokyo
- StrongKumamoto quake: 50 injured treated at Hikawa hospital, Japanese media say
- StrongPolice estimate 'significant number' of fatalities in Kumamoto mall collapse; Japanese TV reports many trapped
- DevelopingNew Zealand issues tsunami warning after magnitude 5.9 earthquake
Source and signal
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