Powerful 7.1 Quake Strikes Kumamoto, Dozens Injured

A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan on July 28, with at least 50 people reported injured and widespread power cuts affecting thousands of households across the region. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaaichi told reporters in Tokyo that authorities are assessing damage and casualties, noting reports of injuries, blackouts, fires in some areas, and damage to roads, bridges, and collapsed buildings. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said response personnel, including Self-Defense Forces, firefighters, and coast guard units, have been deployed to affected areas, and urged residents to follow local evacuation orders via radio and television.

NHK reported over 50 injured at one hospital, while the Nikkei newspaper said multiple passengers on bullet trains were injured during the tremor. Several buildings sustained damage, including an Aeon shopping mall where an explosion occurred following the quake, with some people trapped inside as rescue efforts continued. Major roads developed cracks, elevated expressways were damaged, and freight trains derailed; rail and flight services were suspended.

TSMC, the world's largest chipmaker, evacuated employees from its facility in the area as a precaution, as did Sony and Fujifilm. Over 150,000 residents were ordered to evacuation centers for safety. Japan's meteorological agency issued emergency warnings across Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, and Miyazaki on Kyushu island, and initially issued a 1-meter tsunami warning before canceling it. Approximately 40,000 homes lost power, JR Kyushu suspended train services including bullet trains, and Kumamoto Airport closed its runway due to flight cancellations and reroutes.

Japan Meteorological Agency officials warned residents to expect strong aftershocks and remain alert for earthquakes over the next week, with additional risks of landslides. Ten years ago, a major quake in Kumamoto killed 2,745 people.