A severe earthquake struck Japan’s southern Kyushu island on Tuesday, causing power outages in numerous households, damaging roads, and resulting in individuals being trapped with some presumed deceased inside a partially collapsed shopping complex. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, addressing the media from her office in Tokyo, mentioned that the complete scale of casualties and destruction from the earthquake was still under evaluation. Takaichi urged everyone to prioritize their safety, including evacuating to secure locations.
In response to the emergency, Takaichi disclosed that the government had established a task force and planned to deploy 3,600 soldiers to aid in disaster recovery amid ongoing aftershocks. The earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1, occurred around 4:27 p.m. local time, approximately 20 kilometers south of Kumamoto, the largest city in central Kyushu with a population of around 700,000.
Reports indicated that over 50 injuries were recorded at one hospital, with additional injuries to individuals on a high-speed train during the quake. Subsequently, a shopping mall experienced an explosion post-earthquake, leading to multiple individuals being trapped inside, some of whom were presumed dead according to police reports. Buildings were on fire, partially collapsed, and major roads displayed significant cracks, including an elevated highway.
The Japanese government issued emergency earthquake warnings for several prefectures on Kyushu island, along with a tsunami warning that was later lifted. Approximately 300,000 individuals were directed to evacuation centers, and power outages affected around 40,000 homes, with railway services suspended, including high-speed trains. Disruptions to mobile phone services were reported due to power shortages, while no issues were reported at the nearby nuclear power stations.
Various companies, including TSMC, Sony, and Fujifilm, evacuated their staff as a safety measure. Japan, known for its frequent seismic activity due to its location along the “Ring of Fire,” experiences a significant number of earthquakes annually. Kumamoto had previously endured a deadly earthquake in 2016, resulting in numerous casualties and extensive property damage.