TOKYO, Japan: A magnitude 7.1 Japan earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu at 4:27 pm local time on July 28, triggering a tsunami advisory, power cuts and rail suspensions.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) located the earthquake at a depth of about 10 kilometres. Uki City and Hikawa Town registered 7, the highest level on Japan’s seismic-intensity scale, according to the agency’s preliminary analysis.
JMA recorded another magnitude 6.1 earthquake in the Amakusa and Ashikita region at 5:08 pm local time. It produced a maximum intensity of lower 5.
Authorities issued a tsunami advisory for the Ariake and Yatsushiro seas, warning of possible waves up to 1 meter high.
Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency received numerous emergency calls across Kumamoto. However, casualty, residential-damage and fire assessments remained incomplete at 5:30 pm, according to its third situation report.
Read: Japan Earthquake Hits Hokkaido at Magnitude 6.2
Kyushu Electric Power said about 40,000 homes lost electricity. JR Kyushu suspended Shinkansen and regional train services for safety checks, Reuters reported.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority reported no abnormalities at three nearby nuclear power plants. The Defence Ministry deployed aircraft to assess the affected region.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan established a government task force and urged residents to avoid the coastline and prepare for further strong earthquakes.
Read: 7.6 Earthquake Hits Japan with Tsunami Warnings Issued for Western Coasts
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company said its Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing plant reached its evacuation threshold.
Staff began evacuating and counting personnel under emergency procedures, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency. The company had not confirmed any production disruption.
Official figures show the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes caused 275 deaths and injured 2,739 people.
