A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday, leaving at least 50 people injured, sparking fires, causing building collapses, and disrupting power supplies, according to infohub.kz.

The quake hit near Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu at a maximum intensity level on Japan's seismic scale. NHK reported that the last earthquake of this magnitude occurred in 2024 on the Noto Peninsula. Meanwhile, Kumamoto experienced a quake of this scale 10 years ago, in 2016, when 275 people died and 2,739 were injured.

Following the main tremor, a series of aftershocks rattled the region, some reaching the lower end of level 5 on Japan's intensity scale. Initially, a tsunami warning of up to one meter was issued for the Ariake and Yatsushiro bays, but the Japan Meteorological Agency lifted it at 6:10 p.m. local time.

According to NHK, at least 50 injured people were taken to hospitals, including ten residents of a nursing home in Hikawa city. Many residents sought shelter in the municipal government building, and evacuees were housed in local schools. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the disaster caused fires, damaged roads and bridges, collapsed buildings, and cut electricity.

Kyushu Electric Power said inspections found no abnormalities at the Genkai nuclear plant in Saga Prefecture or the Sendai plant in Kagoshima Prefecture. "No irregularities have been detected at the nuclear power plants," the company reported.

Rail services were suspended. Kyushu Railway Company halted all train operations, including Kyushu Shinkansen bullet trains. "All train services, including the Kyushu Shinkansen, are temporarily suspended," the operator said.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the full extent of casualties and damage is still being assessed. "We have already received reports of injuries," she said. "There have been power outages and fires in some areas, as well as damage to roads and bridges, and building collapses."

Earlier reports indicated an explosion at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto following a series of strong quakes in Kumamoto Prefecture. The whereabouts of 20–30 people are unknown after a structure collapsed. "Police sources say contact has been lost with 20–30 employees. Police and firefighters are trying to confirm whether anyone is trapped inside," NHK reported.