Japan’s south-western Kyushu island has been struck by two strong earthquakes within an hour, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
An initial magnitude-7.1 quake hit the Kumamoto south-western prefecture at 4:35pm local time (5:35pm AEST) on Tuesday.
The prefecture was then struck by 26 additional aftershocks ranging in magnitude between 3.3 and 4.5, before a magnitude-6.1 tremor was recorded at 5:12pm (6:12pm AEST).
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The quakes hit just south of the town of Uki, near the prefecture’s capital city, local authorities reported.
“We are still assessing the extent of injuries and property damage, but I have been informed that there have already been several injuries,” Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said.
“Power outages and fires are happening in some areas, and roads and bridges have been damaged and buildings collapsed.”
One hospital had reported more than 50 injuries, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.
NHK is also reporting people have been trapped inside a shopping mall damaged in the earthquake.
Police earlier said they had received reports of what sounded like an explosion at the Aeon Mall outlet in Kumamoto, with no information on damage or any casualties.
Seismology authorities from Geoscience Australia and the United States Geological Survey reported the initial quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres below the sea’s surface.
A tsunami warning for a wave measuring 1 metre was issued after the earthquake, the JMA said.
The warning was lifted about two hours later.
Japan’s south-western Kumamoto prefecture has been hit by a magnitude-7.1 earthquake, followed by a magnitude-6.1 tremor less than an hour later. (Reuters)
Urgent government response
The Japanese government also issued emergency earthquake warnings for Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, and Miyazaki prefectures, all on Japan’s southern Kyushu island.
The tremor caused power outages for at least 48,000 households in the Kumamoto prefecture and fires broke out in several locations, Japan’s state broadcaster NHK reported.
Ms Takaichi also confirmed a meeting of the country’s Emergency Assembly Team was called in the Countermeasures Room to assess the quake.
She said local fire stations were responding to the incidents and urged all people to stay away from the coast.
“The investigation team was dispatched from the government cabinet office and human and physical casualties have been investigated,” Ms Takaichi told the media.
“There are places where power outages are taking place. I urge people to take shelter and evacuate to safe places.”
The extent of damage to the area is being assessed. (Supplied: Nippon Hoso Kyokai )
Local media outlet NHK reported that police are seeking the whereabouts of nine people.
NHK also reported a train was derailed during the earthquake.
Ms Takaichi released a statement on X that urged local government ministries and emergency response agencies to immediately assess damage and to prioritise any necessary rescue of residents.
Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, with a tremor occurring at least every five minutes.
Japanese authorities warned of a tsunami risk in at least two south-western prefectures moments after the quake struck. (Supplied: JMA)
Earthquake prone area
Located along the “Ring of Fire” of volcanoes and oceanic trenches partly encircling the Pacific Basin, Japan accounts for about 20 per cent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude-6 or more.
Kumamoto was hit with a deadly quake in 2016 that left more than 50 people dead, 1,800 injured and tens of thousands of homes damaged or destroyed.
Kyushu Electric Power said there were no reports of irregularities at its Sendai and Genkai nuclear power stations after the earthquake.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said no abnormalities were found at three nearby nuclear power plants.
Train operator JR Kyushu said it had suspended services, including its high-speed Shinkansen trains following the quake.
AP/Reuters