Tokyo, 28 July (H.S.):

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Kumamoto region on Japan's Kyushu Island on Tuesday, raising fears of multiple injuries and prompting authorities to issue a tsunami advisory.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the earthquake occurred at 4:27 p.m. local time. Its epicentre was located at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres beneath Kumamoto Prefecture. The JMA warned that tsunami waves of up to one metre could reach affected coastal areas.

Media reports said the earthquake recorded the maximum intensity of 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale in Uki and Hikawa, while neighbouring areas experienced seismic intensity of upper 6.

Local fire authorities and the regional power utility said several people are feared to have been injured. The quake also caused a power outage affecting nearly 48,000 households across Kumamoto Prefecture. In neighbouring Kagoshima Prefecture, the earthquake registered an intensity of upper 5, while Fukuoka and Saga prefectures recorded intensity levels below 5.

Kyushu Electric Power said no abnormalities had been detected at the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant in Kagoshima Prefecture or the Genkai Nuclear Power Plant in Saga Prefecture.

Following the tsunami advisory, local authorities issued immediate evacuation orders for vulnerable coastal areas. Advisories have been issued for the Ariake Sea and the Yatsushiro Sea. Residents have been urged to stay away from the coastline, move to higher ground or other safe locations immediately, and avoid returning to coastal areas until the advisory is officially lifted.

The JMA has also issued emergency alerts for Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita and Miyazaki prefectures. Authorities have appealed to residents to remain calm, follow official instructions, and closely monitor updates issued through government channels.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar