Lead

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday afternoon, causing injuries, power outages, and prompting evacuation orders for more than 150,000 people. The quake, which hit inland in Kumamoto Prefecture at a depth of 10 kilometers, triggered a brief tsunami advisory that was lifted within hours.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Al Jazeera and Dawn, citing the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), said a tsunami warning for waves of up to one meter was issued following the earthquake. The advisory was lifted when no tsunami activity was observed, as officials explained the quake occurred inland. The same two outlets and the BBC reported no irregularities at nuclear power stations in the region.

Estimates of power outages varied. Al Jazeera and Dawn cited Kyushu Electric Power saying about 40,000 homes had lost electricity. Deutsche Welle reported approximately 45,000 households and facilities in Kumamoto temporarily lost power, citing the same utility.

Injury figures differed across outlets. Deutsche Welle reported at least 50 people were hospitalized, according to NHK, while the BBC said several people were injured. Deutsche Welle later reported Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced 13 people had been found dead by Wednesday morning.

Key Claims

  • The earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu island at about 4:27 p.m. local time, registering the highest level of seven on Japan's Shindo intensity scale, as reported by Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle.
  • A tsunami advisory for waves up to one meter was issued but lifted after no tsunami activity was observed, according to Al Jazeera, Dawn, and the BBC.
  • Over 150,000 people were asked to move to evacuation shelters, the BBC reported, citing officials.
  • Deutsche Welle reported 12 houses collapsed, with four people trapped inside, and that at least 50 people were hospitalized.
  • The BBC reported train services were suspended and electricity cut for thousands of homes.
  • Deutsche Welle reported that by Wednesday, over 9,000 people were in evacuation centers, citing government spokesman Minoru Kihara.
  • No abnormalities were detected at nearby nuclear power plants, Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority announced, as reported by Al Jazeera, Dawn, and Deutsche Welle.
Prime Minister Takaichi said initial reports indicated multiple injuries, damage to infrastructure, and fires in affected areas. "We are still assessing the extent of injuries and property damage, but I have been informed that there have already been several injuries," she said, as quoted by Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle.

Companies including Sony and TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, have plants in the quake's path, and a Sony spokesperson said the company was checking the situation, according to Dawn.

Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences about 1,500 quakes a year, the BBC noted. The earthquake revived memories of the 2011 magnitude-9 quake that triggered a massive tsunami, and a magnitude-7.5 quake in December left 30 wounded, as reported by the BBC.