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A strong earthquake shakes part of southern Japan but no tsunami detected
A strong earthquake struck Kumamoto on Japan's southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday afternoon, causing widespread damage and dozens of injuries, though officials found no major public infrastructure damage. The quake prompted a temporary tsunami advisory, the suspension of train services, and airport closures, evoking memories of the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquake that killed more than 50 people.
The US Geological Survey initially measured the quake at magnitude 7.1, later revising it down to 6.8, with an epicentre roughly 560 miles southwest of Tokyo. Around 40 people were hospitalised in Yatsushiro city, where a train derailed, while Kumamoto Castle suffered damage to its stone walls alongside collapsed roof tiles, fires and blackouts elsewhere. A tsunami advisory covering four prefectures was lifted within two hours after no waves materialised, Shinkansen and local trains were halted for safety checks, and Aso Kumamoto Airport closed its runway indefinitely. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi set up a government task force, nuclear regulators confirmed no issues at nearby plants, and authorities warned of possible aftershocks over the following two to three days.
In short
- Magnitude 6.8-7.1 quake hits Kumamoto, Japan; dozens injured
- Tsunami advisory issued then lifted; no waves recorded
- Trains suspended, airport closed; aftershocks warned for days
Explained simply
Japan lies in one of the world's most earthquake-prone regions, where the ground regularly shifts and moves. Kumamoto, a city on the island of Kyushu in the south, sits in an area particularly susceptible to major earthquakes. When strong earthquakes occur in or near coastal regions like this, they can also generate dangerous waves called tsunamis.
Kumamoto experienced a devastating earthquake in 2016 that killed more than 50 people and caused widespread destruction across the region. That event shaped how people there perceive earthquakes today. Any significant earthquake in the area carries additional significance for residents with direct experience of that earlier disaster.
Japan's earthquakes are monitored carefully by scientists and government agencies because of the dangers they pose. When a quake occurs, specialists measure its strength and issue warnings to alert people about potential hazards, particularly the risk of tsunamis. Though not every earthquake generates a tsunami, authorities take the possibility seriously and issue precautionary alerts when warranted.
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