7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Japan, Thousands Evacuated
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck south-west Japan on Tuesday, injuring several people and triggering a brief tsunami advisory that was lifted within an hour.
The quake hit inland on Kyushu island at 16:27 local time (07:27 GMT), at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of strong aftershocks in the coming days.
More than 150,000 people were advised to evacuate to shelters. National broadcaster NHK showed footage of cracked roads, damaged bridges, and buildings on fire.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said authorities were still assessing injuries and property damage but confirmed several injuries. NHK reported about 10 injuries at an elderly care home and at least 50 people being treated in hospitals.
Train services were suspended, and thousands of homes lost electricity. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said first responders, including the Self-Defence Force, fire services, and coast guard, had been deployed.
He urged residents in areas with strong shaking to follow evacuation instructions from local authorities via radio, television, and the internet.
Japan, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the most earthquake-prone countries, experiencing about 1,500 quakes annually. A magnitude 7.5 earthquake in north-east Japan last December injured 30 people. In March 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunami killed 18,000 people.
