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Major 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocks southern Japan, injuring dozens
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan near Kumamoto, causing a mall collapse that trapped multiple people and triggered a tsunami warning that was later lifted.
- The earthquake caused significant structural damage, including collapsed ceilings, damaged buildings, and ruptured sections of the Kyushu expressway, with at least 12 houses destroyed and 50 people injured.
- Emergency services responded with numerous fire trucks at the scene, and train services around Kyushu island were suspended as a precaution.
- Kumamoto Castle, a major tourist site previously damaged in 2016 quakes, sustained new damage, and local tourist operations were suspended due to the earthquake's impact.
- Nuclear power plants in the region reported no abnormalities or radiation changes, and there was no tsunami threat to Hawaii or American Samoa.
