7.1 magnitude earthquake hits Japan as tsunami alert issued and people warned ‘stay away’
A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake has struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan’s Kyushu region, triggering a tsunami advisory for the Ariake and Yatsushiro seas
A earthquake hit today(Image: Getty)
A colossal 7.1-magnitude earthquake has hit Japan this morning. The enormous quake occurred in the Kumamoto Prefecture in the Kyushu region on Tuesday, triggering a tsunami warning.
The massive tremor also reached up to shindo seven, the top level on the Japanese seismic intensity scale. The Japanese weather agency issued a tsunami advisory for the Ariake and Yatsushiro seas, advising people to steer clear of the ocean and coastal areas.
Japan’s Prime Minister has issued three immediate instructions to government agencies following the powerful earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.
In a statement shared by the Prime Minister’s Office, officials were ordered to rapidly assess the extent of the damage, work closely with local authorities to prioritise saving lives and rescue efforts, and provide the public with timely information on evacuations and the developing situation.
The instructions were issued at 4.29pm local time (8.29am BST), shortly after the earthquake struck. Japan’s Meteorological Agency is due to hold a press conference at 9.30am UK time.
Footage shared on social media appears to show a a camera shaking violently near Kumamoto Castle ss the powerful earthquake struck the region.
A video shared on X by user @sirokumadio appears to show part of the stone walls at Kumamoto Castle collapsing in a cloud of dust as the powerful earthquake struck.
In the post, the user wrote: “The stone walls of Kumamoto Castle collapsed right before my eyes.”
The footage has not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, safety checks tested for abnormalities at the Genkai and Sendai nuclear power plants, and no abnormalities were found at Ikata Nuclear Power Plant in Nishiuwa District, Ehime, Japan.
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