A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the southern Japanese island of Kyushu on Tuesday afternoon, specifically around 16:27 local time. The epicentre of the seismic event was located in the Kumamoto region within Kumamoto Prefecture, at a depth of 10 kilometres below the sea surface. Intense shaking was recorded in the city of Kumamoto, while the maximum seismic intensity of 7 was recorded in the cities of Uki and Makigawa in the same prefecture.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) immediately issued a tsunami warning for the nearby Ariake Bay, as well as for the waters of the Yatsushiro Sea. Ariake Bay is located approximately 860 kilometres south-west of Tokyo. The projected wave height is up to one metre, and residents in coastal areas have been advised to exercise caution and move away from the shore as a precaution. The US Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed that there is no risk of waves beyond the local area.
The impact of the earthquake was felt in urban areas, where people were trapped in a shopping centre in southern Japan. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed the warnings and issued urgent instructions to all ministries and agencies. Her directives include the immediate assessment of damage, coordination with local authorities, and the implementation of rescue measures.
The prime minister also requested that the public be informed in a timely and accurate manner about the movement of tsunami waves and the damage caused. Residents in areas where the earthquake was strongest were urged to exercise extreme caution due to the possibility of aftershocks of the same magnitude as the main event. Services are preparing for complex rescue operations and the assessment of infrastructure damage in the affected area.
