According
to the National Meteorological Administration of Japan, the epicenter of the
earthquake was located in the area of Kumamoto Prefecture at a depth of 10
kilometers. A tsunami warning of up to one meter high has been issued for the
coast of Ariake and Yatsushiro Bays.
Less than
an hour after the first earthquake, another strong tremor of magnitude 6.1
occurred. According to the US Geological Survey, the magnitude of the first
earthquake was 6.8, the second 6.1.
Japanese
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that roads and bridges were damaged,
buildings were partially destroyed, fires and power outages occurred. At the
same time, there were no violations in the operation of nuclear power plants
located in the region.
According
to preliminary information, more than 50 people were injured as a result of the
earthquake. The exact number of victims and the scale of the damage are being
clarified. The Japanese Government has set up an operational headquarters to
coordinate the aftermath.
According
to NHK, this is the first earthquake of magnitude 7.1 or higher in Japan since
the devastating earthquake on the Noto Peninsula in January 2024.
