A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Japanese island of Kyushu on Saturday, causing significant damage, widespread power outages, and structural collapses. The tremor, which hit the Kumamoto region, prompted a tsunami warning that was later lifted within two hours.
More than 40,000 households lost power following the earthquake, according to Kyushu Electric's website. Damage to roads was also reported, and a footbridge in the Kumamoto region collapsed. The extent of injuries, if any, and the exact time of the bridge collapse remain unclear, though traffic appeared to be diverted to a parallel bridge.
Images from the aftermath show significant structural damage, including collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle and a fallen chimney at Nippon Paper Industries' Yatsushiro Mill. A wall on the side of Aeon Mall Kumamoto also sustained damage.
Japan's Meteorological Agency reported that more than 60 aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 1 to 4, followed the initial quake. The epicentre was located in central Kyushu, with the strongest shaking concentrated in that area, as indicated by intensity maps.
