Japan earthquake: Damage seen on elevated highway in Kumamoto

Damage is suspected on an elevated section of the Kyushu Expressway in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, following an earthquake that registered an upper 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale. Footage captured by an NHK helicopter around 5:50 PM local time reveals visible damage to the road's structure.

The aerial images show significant gaps and displacement at the joints of the elevated roadway at the Yatsushiro Interchange. This suggests that the earthquake's powerful tremors have caused structural stress and potential damage to this critical piece of infrastructure.

Kumamoto Prefecture is no stranger to seismic activity, and authorities are likely assessing the full extent of the damage and its impact on traffic and safety. The visual evidence from the helicopter provides an immediate glimpse into the physical consequences of the earthquake on the region's transportation network.