Major Earthquake Strikes In Southern Japan

The Government deploys 15,000 troops as a 7.3-magnitude quake causes destruction and leaves 200,000 homes without power.
05:48, UK, Saturday 16 April 2016

Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.
At least 19 people are dead after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto - the second major quake to strike the area in two days.
NHK TV reported that 760 people have been admitted to hospital following the latest tremors.
Almost 200,000 homes are without power, while drinking water systems have failed.
The epicentre of the quake in Kumamoto. Picture: USGS
The quake hit at 1.26am on Saturday (local time) - just over 24 hours after a 6.2 tremor killed 10 people in the same region.
Some 70,000 people have been forced to leave their homes because of the earthquakes .
The moment an earthquake strikes the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto
Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said: "We are making every effort to respond. Please let's help each other and stay calm."
Despite the reports of damage, experts said there was nothing irregular reported at the three nearby nuclear power plants.
The region's transport network suffered considerable damage, with one tunnel caved in, a highway bridge damaged, roads blocked by landslips and train and air services halted.
Hundreds of patients have been evacuated from a hospital in the city over fears it could collapse.
  1. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake has hit the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto.
    Gallery: City Of Kumamoto Rocked By Second Earthquake In 24 Hours
  2. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake has hit the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto.
  3. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake has hit the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto.
  4. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake has hit the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto.
  10. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake has hit the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto.


A series of aftershocks of between 5.8 and 4.7 have been felt.

The Japanese Meteorological Agency initially issued a tsunami alert but later lifted it.

Seven hours after the quake a small eruption occurred at Mount Aso in southern Japan, with smoke rising about 100 metres.

At least 10 people died and about 800 others were injured when the previous tremor hit at about 9.26pm (local time) on Thursday.

Local residents wrap themselves in blankets as they sit on the road in front of the town office building after an earthquake in Mashiki town, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan

It led to thousands of people spending the night in shelters or under canvas, where they would have been when the latest quake struck.

Three of those who died lost their lives in Kumamoto - a city of 730,000 people.

Sony, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Bridgestone have all halted production at Kumamoto plants following the quakes.

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