Powerful Japan Earthquake Injures Dozens, Cuts Power and Disrupts Travel

A powerful earthquake struck Japan’s southern Kyushu island on Tuesday, injuring at least 50 people, knocking out electricity to tens of thousands of homes, damaging roads and buildings, and causing widespread disruption to rail and air travel. Emergency crews have been deployed across Kumamoto Prefecture as authorities continue searching damaged structures and assessing the full extent of the disaster.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.1, although the U.S. Geological Survey later revised it to 6.8. The powerful tremor struck in the afternoon, triggering violent shaking across Kyushu and prompting a temporary tsunami advisory for nearby coastal areas. The warning was lifted about two hours later after officials confirmed there was no significant tsunami threat.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had established an emergency task force to coordinate rescue operations and assess damage. She confirmed reports of injuries, power outages, fires, collapsed buildings, and damage to roads and bridges, while urging residents to remain alert for powerful aftershocks that could continue for days.

One of the most dramatic incidents occurred at an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima Town, where part of the building collapsed after an apparent explosion during the quake. Rescue teams worked through the night to reach people believed to be trapped inside, although unstable structures complicated operations. Firefighters and engineers were forced to carefully assess the building before entering sections of the damaged complex.

Hospitals across Kumamoto reported treating dozens of injured people, while several passengers aboard a high-speed Shinkansen train were also hurt during the violent shaking. Authorities said many injuries were caused by falling debris, collapsing ceilings and people being thrown to the ground as buildings swayed.

The earthquake severely disrupted transport across southern Japan. Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train services were suspended, local rail lines were halted, and Kumamoto Airport temporarily closed as engineers inspected runways and terminals for structural damage. Roads, bridges and elevated highways also suffered cracks and partial collapses, making access difficult for emergency responders.

Power outages affected approximately 48,000 homes, while telecommunications services were disrupted in several areas because of damaged infrastructure. Major manufacturers with facilities in Kumamoto; including TSMC, Sony, Honda, and Fujifilm, temporarily suspended operations and evacuated workers as a precaution while inspections continued. Authorities reported no abnormalities at nearby nuclear power plants.

The quake has revived painful memories of the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, which killed hundreds of people and caused widespread destruction across the region. Officials have warned residents to prepare for additional aftershocks and possible landslides, particularly in mountainous areas weakened by the initial tremor. Search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing as emergency crews work to reach anyone still trapped beneath collapsed structures.