Kumamoto earthquake latest: Japan reports death, damage and aftershocks
A quake in Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture killed at least one person, damaged roads and buildings, and left mall workers unaccounted for.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
A strong earthquake in Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture killed at least one person, damaged major infrastructure and disrupted rescue work as aftershocks continued, authorities and public broadcaster NHK reported. For readers following the Kumamoto earthquake latest, a tsunami advisory issued after the quake has been lifted, while emergency crews continue to assess damage on Kyushu island.
The US Geological Survey said the earthquake struck at 4:30pm local time on Tuesday near Uto, a coastal city southwest of Kumamoto City. USGS initially estimated the quake at magnitude 7.1, then revised it to magnitude 6.8.
What happened in the Kumamoto earthquake?
The quake hit Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu, Japan’s southwestern main island, and caused building collapses, fires and road damage, according to NHK and Reuters. NHK reported that a magnitude 4.1 aftershock struck the prefecture shortly after midnight Wednesday local time.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency reported more than 60 aftershocks, according to Al Jazeera, and described the latest tremor as moderate. Residents were warned to prepare for additional shaking on Wednesday morning.
USGS placed the epicentre near Uto, about 48km southwest of Kumamoto City. Kumamoto City, the prefectural capital, had an estimated population of about 700,000 as of 2019, according to Al Jazeera.
What damage has been reported?
NHK footage showed sections of the Kyushu Expressway split open, and part of the wall around Kumamoto Castle collapsed, according to Al Jazeera. Authorities were still reviewing damage to buildings, bridges and other public infrastructure.
At an Aeon shopping mall in Kumamoto City, part of the second floor gave way before an explosion tore through the building, Reuters and NHK reported. Workers had helped about 200 shoppers leave after the quake, but the blast occurred roughly an hour later, damaging walls and exposing steel framing.
NHK said 20 to 30 mall employees were initially missing. Witnesses reported a gas smell in the area, though officials had not established the cause of the explosion.
The mall had reopened in June after being rebuilt following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, according to Al Jazeera. After the earlier disaster, a supermarket at the site became associated with recovery efforts after selling discounted rice balls to survivors.
What is known about casualties and evacuations?
Police said at least one person died in hospital after being pulled from a collapsed house. NHK reported that one hospital treated more than 50 injured people, while another received about 40, including 10 in serious condition.
Reuters reported that about 300,000 people were instructed to move to evacuation centres. Rescue teams continued work while aftershocks complicated access to damaged areas, according to NHK.
Were nuclear facilities affected?
Officials said no abnormalities were found at the two-reactor Sendai Nuclear Power Plant in Kagoshima prefecture, south of Kumamoto, according to Al Jazeera. The plant is in the broader Kyushu region.
Japan is highly earthquake-prone because it sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where major tectonic plates meet. Reuters reported that minor tremors occur in Japan about every five minutes on average, while strict building codes and regular drills are intended to limit casualties from frequent seismic activity.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.