M7.1 earthquake strikes southwestern JapanーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

A series of powerful earthquakes struck Japan's Kyushu region on Tuesday afternoon.There have been reports of injuries, fires, potential building entrapments and other damage across the affected area.The Japan Meteorological Agency has lifted its tsunami advisory, but is advising people in the region to remain on full alert for strong shaking in the coming days.The JMA has named this disaster the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake.A magnitude 7 .1 tremor struck in Kumamoto Prefecture at 4 .27 p .m.

It recorded a 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 0 to 7.The last quake to hit that level was the 2024 Noto Peninsula New Year's quake.Tuesday's powerful quake was followed by a number of others, some of which reached up to lower 5 on the Japanese scale.Long tremors were also recorded in the region.The JMA calls this long -period ground motion and ranks its intensity on a four -level scale.These tremors can rock high -rise buildings and affect people on higher floors.

Kumamoto City and the surrounding region saw Class 4 shaking.That's strong enough to make it impossible to move without crawling.Class 3 tremors make it difficult to remain standing.These were felt in the Amakusa and Ashikita regions of the prefecture.Experts say this can be strong enough to topple furniture.Now, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency says they've received information of an explosion at the Eon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima Town.

It says the second floor of the building has collapsed and many people could be trapped inside.Officials are now trying to confirm the situation.Now, footage here taken from an NHK helicopter shows parts of the shopping center's exterior walls have come off, exposing what appears to be the building's framework.A taxi driver near the mall reported hearing a loud bang and the walls were blown away.The driver said parts of the wall hit a nearby car.

The extent of the damage in Kumamoto Prefecture is gradually becoming evident.Footage taken from an NHK helicopter at around 5 .30 p .m.shows flames and smoke emerging from what appears to be a residential building in Uki City.More NHK footage shows the roadway of a bridge in Yatsushiro City has separated, making it impossible for vehicles to pass.The headquarters of the fire department responsible for the area, including Uki City, says it has received many calls after the powerful shaking and it is now checking the situation.

Prefectural police say nine people either cannot be contacted or are trapped inside buildings.The police are trying to confirm their safety.A hospital in Hikawa town says it was treating over 50 people with injuries related to the quake as of 6 p .m.A staff member at the nursing home for the elderly in Hikawa town said, I suddenly felt a big jolt while I was working at the desk.The tremor was so strong I couldn't stand up.

Some residents and staff fell down and some were injured and bleeding.Kyushu Electric Power Company said on its website that about 48 ,000 households in Kumamoto Prefecture were without power as of 7 .30 p .m.Chip manufacturer TSMC has a factory in the prefecture.It says it has evacuated its employees to a safe place outside the factory, according to the company's emergency response protocol.It says it is confirming the safety of its workers and facilities.

I was at a cram school nearby on the seventh floor.The shaking was intense and everybody quickly hid under their desks.It was just scary.

I was working at the time.I was on the third floor and the shaking was pretty strong and lasted for a long time.It was quite a shock.

JR Freight Railway Company says a freight train derailed and overturned at Yatsushiro Station in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture.The company is checking whether the train driver was injured.Kyushu Electric Power says it has not yet found any abnormalities at either the Genkai Nuclear Power Station in Saga Prefecture or the Sendai Nuclear Power Station in Kagoshima Prefecture.It says radiation levels around the stations have not changed.The Japan Meteorological Agency has held a news conference about the earthquakes.An official warned that more quakes of a similar intensity could follow over the next few days.

The depth of the quake was shallow and many other quakes followed.People are advised to be on alert for more quakes and rain from now on and not to enter any dangerous areas.Please stay on alert for a week or so, especially the next couple of days for earthquakes with maximum seismic intensities of seven.

Japanese Prime Minister Takahichi Sanae made a statement at her office.

I instructed relevant ministries and agenciesto determine the extent of damage as soon as possible and closely coordinate with local governments and make utmost efforts to take emergency measures such as saving and rescuing disaster victims under the government's policy of putting human lives first and also provide information on tsunami and evacuation to the people in an appropriate manner.

She said the government has received reports of some injuries and damage to roads and bridges, as well as fires and power blackouts.Takaichi said a team has been dispatched to the affected area to assess the situation on the ground.