7.1 magnitude earthquake rattles Japan, but tsunami advisory is lifted

An earthquake registering a magnitude of 7.1 shook Japan's southern main island of Kyushu on Tuesday, causing part of a shopping center to collapse and leaving dozens of people missing or injured. Officials and reports indicated that the second floor of the Aeon Mall shopping center in Kashima Town collapsed, trapping an unknown number of people. Around 20 to 30 employees were reported missing, while several others were rescued and taken to a hospital, according to Kyodo News agency, citing local police.

A tsunami advisory was issued for the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas on the western coasts of Kumamoto prefecture and three neighboring prefectures. However, the Japan Meteorological Agency stated that the advisory was lifted within two hours. The affected area is located approximately 900 kilometers (540 miles) southwest of Tokyo.

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The shaking reminded me of the Kumamoto quake (10 years ago) and I was frightened.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi informed reporters about damage to roads, bridges, and buildings, as well as blackouts and fires, though specific details were not yet clear. The Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported no damage to major public facilities or infrastructure. The Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that no abnormalities were detected at three nearby nuclear power plants.

In Yatsushiro city, a hospital received about 40 injured individuals, and approximately 50 others were taken to a hospital in Kumamoto city. Shinkansen bullet trains and local trains in Kyushu were temporarily suspended for safety checks. The runway at Aso Kumamoto Airport was closed with no immediate prospect of resuming operations. The Japanese Defense Ministry dispatched aircraft to the area to assess the situation. Reports also indicated a derailed train and damaged stone walls at Kumamoto castle.

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The shaking reminded me of the Kumamoto quake (10 years ago) and I was frightened.