Japan’s 7.1 quake injures 50, cuts power to 40,000 homes

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Japan’s southern Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, leaving at least 50 people injured, disrupting transport and cutting electricity to around 40,000 homes as authorities warned residents to remain alert for aftershocks.

The earthquake struck Kyushu, Japan’s southwestern main island, at a depth of about 10 kilometres, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The tremor reached the highest level of 7 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale in parts of Kumamoto, underlining the strength of the shaking.

The powerful tremor damaged roads, bridges and buildings, while transport services across the affected region were thrown into disruption. Rail services, including high-speed trains, were suspended, while Kumamoto airport also temporarily closed its runway.

The earthquake also triggered an emergency response across Kyushu. Authorities urged more than 150,000 residents to evacuate as officials assessed damage and monitored the situation. Reports said a fire and explosion occurred at a shopping mall, while a goods train was derailed during the chaos.

For residents, the immediate concern was not only the first powerful jolt but the possibility of more shaking. Japanese authorities issued warnings over potential aftershocks and landslides, urging people in affected areas to remain cautious and follow official instructions.

A tsunami warning was also issued after the earthquake, with authorities warning of waves of up to one metre along parts of the Ariake and Yatsushiro seas. The warning was later lifted after no significant tsunami activity was observed.

Despite the widespread disruption, there were no reports of irregularities at nuclear power plants in the affected region, providing some relief as authorities continued their assessment.

The earthquake has also drawn attention because Kumamoto has experienced devastating seismic activity before. The region was badly hit by a major earthquake sequence in 2016, which caused extensive destruction and hundreds of deaths.

Japan is among the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, making disaster preparedness a central part of everyday life. Yet the latest tremor again demonstrated how quickly a powerful earthquake can disrupt communities, transport networks and essential services.

With rescue and assessment operations continuing, authorities are now focused on helping those injured, restoring electricity and transport, and preparing residents for potentially dangerous aftershocks.