A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan’s southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami alert for nearby coastal areas.
The earthquake was centred in Kumamoto Prefecture and caused strong shaking across parts of the region. The Japan Meteorological Agency initially warned that tsunami waves of up to one metre could reach the coastline, urging residents to stay away from coastal areas. The advisory was later lifted, with no significant tsunami observed from the inland earthquake.
The earthquake disrupted transportation and essential services in the affected areas. Power outages were reported, while bullet train and local rail services were temporarily suspended for safety checks. Kumamoto Airport also closed its runway, and authorities continued assessing damage, including reports of injuries, fires and structural damage.
Officials warned residents to remain cautious about possible strong aftershocks and landslides in the days ahead. Japan is located along the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire and frequently experiences earthquakes.
