Powerful earthquake hits southern Japan, injuring at least 50

Southern Japan was struck by a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake, leaving at least 50 people injured and causing significant damage, including to buildings and roads. Tens of thousands of households were left without electricity following the tremor.

The Japan Meteorological Agency initially issued a tsunami warning, with waves potentially reaching up to one meter, but later withdrew it. The earthquake's epicenter was in Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, with a focal depth of ten kilometers. Several aftershocks followed the main quake.

According to initial reports, at least 50 people were injured, including ten residents of a nursing home. Fires broke out in several locations, and damage was reported to bridges and roads. At least 12 houses collapsed, and a freight train derailed. A shopping center in Kumamoto was also damaged, with reports of an explosion and people trapped inside.

Kyushu Electric Power reported that approximately 45,000 households and facilities in Kumamoto Prefecture lost power. Operations at the Aso Kumamoto Airport were halted. Crucially, Japanese authorities confirmed that no operational disruptions were recorded at nuclear power plants in the affected region. Three nuclear reactors operating at the time continued to function normally. Around ten thousand people were evacuated to temporary shelters.