Powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake hits Kyushu in southern Japan, prompting tsunami warning

AKIPRESS.COM – A major 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Kumamoto Prefecture on the Japanese island of Kyushu, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, triggering a tsunami warning.

The quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, prompting a tsunami advisory for waves up to 1 meter along the coasts of Ariake and Yatsushiro bays.

Less than an hour after the initial shock, a second earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 was recorded.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the magnitudes of the two quakes at 6.8 and 5.6, respectively. There are no immediate reports of casualties or major destruction.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed government agencies to quickly assess the scale of the damage, assist affected residents, and manage evacuations, public broadcaster NHK reported.

NHK noted that this is the first earthquake of magnitude 7 or higher registered in Japan since the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January 2024.