Strong Earthquake in Japan Kills One, Injures Dozens

A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Japan on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in one fatality and at least 50 injuries, according to local media reports. The victim died in Kumamoto Prefecture when a house collapsed, the Kyodo news agency reported. This prefecture on the main island of Kyushu was particularly hard-hit.

Significant damage to roads and buildings was reported, with some roads severely damaged and a freight train derailed. Several sections of Kyushu's expressways were closed, and high-speed and local train services were suspended. The runways at Aso Kumamoto Airport were also closed until further notice. The iconic Kumamoto Castle sustained damage to a section of its stone wall, and approximately 10 houses collapsed based on preliminary police reports.

In Kumamoto Prefecture, about 48,000 households lost electricity. Among the injured were about 10 residents from a nursing home, NHK reported. Despite the strong tremors, nuclear power plants reported no deviations. However, a large department store in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, experienced an explosion, with aerial footage showing extensive damage. Emergency services were searching for people after the blast, and media reports indicated that 20-30 workers were still missing late Tuesday evening.

The earthquake's epicenter was in the Kumamoto region at a depth of 10 km. Strong aftershocks followed the initial tremors, and the meteorological agency warned of potential further strong quakes in the coming days. The national meteorological agency later lifted a tsunami warning for waves up to 1 meter. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi directed her ministries to quickly assess the situation and take necessary urgent measures. The government dispatched troops to the region to bolster rescue teams. This event recalls a major 7.3 magnitude earthquake in the Kumamoto region 10 years prior, which caused dozens of deaths and displaced tens of thousands.