{"id":830374,"date":"2026-07-29T03:04:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T03:04:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/830374\/"},"modified":"2026-07-29T03:04:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T03:04:15","slug":"japan-kumamoto-earthquake-what-happened-damage-victims-latest-updates-earthquakes-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/830374\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan Kumamoto earthquake: What happened, damage, victims, latest updates | Earthquakes News"},"content":{"rendered":"

A powerful earthquake struck Japan\u2019s Kumamoto<\/a> prefecture on the southwestern island of Kyushu on Tuesday, causing widespread damage, collapsing buildings and starting fires.<\/p>\n

The quake was followed by aftershocks as emergency crews continued rescue operations and assessed the scale of the destruction.<\/p>\n

Recommended Stories list of 1 itemend of list<\/p>\n

Here is what we know so far:<\/p>\n

What happened in Japan?<\/p>\n

The magnitude<\/a> 6.8 earthquake<\/a> struck the Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island at 4:30pm (07:30 GMT) on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

It was initially reported as magnitude 7.1, but the US Geological Survey (USGS) later revised its estimate to 6.8.<\/p>\n

A tsunami advisory was issued immediately after the earthquake but was later lifted.<\/p>\n

The earthquake caused widespread damage as buildings collapsed.<\/p>\n

It sparked fires in Kumamoto City, the prefectural capital, trapped shoppers inside a partially collapsed shopping mall, cut power to thousands of homes, and left roads badly damaged.<\/p>\n

Just after midnight on Wednesday (15:15 GMT Tuesday), a magnitude 4.1 aftershock struck Kumamoto prefecture, public broadcaster NHK reported.<\/p>\n

Where did the earthquake hit?<\/p>\n

According to the USGS, the epicentre was near the coastal city of Uto, about 48km (30 miles) southwest of Kumamoto City.<\/p>\n

Kumamoto is located on Japan\u2019s southwestern island of Kyushu, one of the country\u2019s four main islands, about 90km (55 miles) east of Nagasaki.<\/p>\n

As of 2019, Kumamoto City has an estimated population of 700,000.<\/p>\n

The Kyushu region is also home to the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant in neighbouring Kagoshima prefecture, south of Kumamoto.<\/p>\n

Officials said no abnormalities were detected at the two-reactor facility following the earthquake.<\/p>\n

\"Interactive_Japan_earthquake_July27_2026-1785245206\"<\/p>\n

How powerful was the earthquake?<\/p>\n

The earthquake was reportedly strong enough to be felt in Japan\u2019s overseas neighbour, South Korea.<\/p>\n

It caused extensive infrastructure damage. NHK footage showed parts of the Kyushu Expressway split apart, and a section of the wall surrounding Kumamoto Castle collapsed.<\/p>\n

Authorities are still assessing the damage to buildings, bridges and other infrastructure.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial view shows the damaged Kyushu Expressway [Reuters]What damage did the earthquake cause?<\/p>\n

At the Aeon shopping mall in Kumamoto City, part of the second floor collapsed before a powerful explosion tore through the complex.<\/p>\n

Employees helped evacuate about 200 shoppers when the quake struck, but the explosion came about an hour later, blowing out walls and exposing much of the steel framework.<\/p>\n

NHK reported that 20 to 30 employees were initially unaccounted for. Witnesses also reported smelling gas in the area, although the cause of the explosion remains unclear.<\/p>\n

The mall had reopened only last month after being rebuilt following the devastating Kumamoto earthquake in 2016.<\/p>\n

The June 13 reopening was meant to be a fresh start for one of the region\u2019s main shopping and entertainment centres.<\/p>\n

After the 2016 disaster, a supermarket in the mall offered discounted rice balls to survivors, becoming a symbol of the recovery effort.<\/p>\n

\"AnThe damaged Aeon Mall [Kyodo\/via Reuters]What do we know about the victims?<\/p>\n

Two young women were found dead early on Wednesday in the mall, local media reported.<\/p>\n

Twenty to 30 shopping mall workers were unaccounted for.<\/p>\n

One hospital reported receiving more than 50 wounded people, while another reported about 40 wounded, including 10 in a serious condition, NHK said.<\/p>\n

About 300,000 people have been instructed to go to evacuation centres, according to Reuters.<\/p>\n

Are aftershocks expected?<\/p>\n

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported more than 60 aftershocks, describing the latest tremor as moderate.<\/p>\n

The aftershocks have complicated rescue efforts.<\/p>\n

Residents have been warned to expect day-two tremors as they wake up on Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n

Why is Japan prone to earthquakes?<\/p>\n

Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several major tectonic plates meet.<\/p>\n

The country experiences thousands of earthquakes every year, as the Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian and North American plates constantly shift against one another.<\/p>\n

Strict building codes and regular earthquake drills have helped reduce casualties, but powerful earthquakes can still cause widespread destruction.<\/p>\n

Minor tremors also occur, on average, every five minutes, according to Reuters.<\/p>\n

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