Pictures show damage caused by earthquake 
A collapsed part of Kumamoto Castle’s stone walls after an earthquake (Reuters)
The exterior wall of a shop is seen collapsed in an earthquake, in Kumamoto City (AFP/Getty)
A damaged fallen signboard outside a Saizeriya restaurant (Reuters)
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 11:01
Tsunami warning lifted as authorities assess damage
The tsunami warning issued after a powerful earthquake has been lifted.
Emergency officials are continuing to assess the extent of the damage in areas near the epicentre, where buildings collapsed, fires broke out and several people were reported injured.
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 10:43
JMA asks people to remain alert for week
The Japan Meteorological Agency has asked people to remain on alert for the next week as potential earthquakes with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 – the maximum on Japan’s own scale – could follow,
“Please pay full attention to possible future earthquakes and rain, and stay away from dangerous places,” it said in a press conference.
“Also, for the next week or so, especially during the next two to three days, we would like people to watch out for potential earthquakes with a maximum seismic intensity of 7.”
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 10:39
Several reported to be injured near epicentre, PM says
Several people have been reported injured near the epicentre of the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture.
Speaking to reporters at her office in Tokyo, Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi said they are receiving reports that some people have been injured, but the extent of casualties and property damage was being assessed.
“We have already been informed that people have been injured,” Takaichi said.
The epicentre of the 7.1-magnitude quake was near Uto, a coastal city in Kumamoto Prefecture, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The exterior wall of a shop is seen collapsed in an earthquake, in Kumamoto City (AFP/Getty)
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 10:28
Buildings damaged and fires reported after quake
Footage broadcast by NHK showed several buildings collapsed near the epicentre of the powerful earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.
The fire department in the city of Uki told the broadcaster it had received numerous emergency calls as multiple fires broke out across the city following the quake.
The fire department said it was assessing the situation.
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 10:22
Live: Japan struck by 7.1 magnitude earthquake as Tsunami warning issued
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 10:15
More than 48,000 households lose power after powerful Japan earthquake
Electricity was cut to about 48,300 households in Kumamoto Prefecture following the powerful earthquake, according to Kyushu Electric Power.
The utility urged residents not to touch downed or severed power lines and to report any damaged electrical equipment or other abnormalities as restoration efforts continue.
Reporters watch the news showing a large quake and possible one meter tsunami wave in Southern Japan, from an office in Tokyo (AFP/Getty)
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 10:14
In pictures: Powerful earthquake rocks Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture
(Reuters)
Toppled shelving after an earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1, struck Japan’s southern Kumamoto prefecture (Reuters)
The crowded Hakata JR station in Fukuoka, southern Japan, after Kyushu Shinkansen operations were suspended due to an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1, (Reuters)
People shop for snacks at a confectionery store in Tokyo, Japan (Reuters)
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 09:58
Sanae Takaichi says people’s lives are top priority
Japan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to avoid the coastline where a tsunami of up to 1 metre (3 feet) was predicted.
She said her government has set up a task force to gather information, assess possible damage and prepare for rescue operations if needed.
“We are putting people’s lives as the top priority,” Takaichi said.
She urged residents in areas that experienced the strongest shaking to continue exercising caution, given the possibility of powerful aftershocks.
(Reuters)
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 09:52
Video shows violent shaking in Costco store
A video circulating on social media appears to show chaotic scenes inside a Costco store in Kumamoto, Japan, as the earthquake happened.
Shelves can be seen emptied as products crash to the floor while shoppers scramble to safety amid the intense shaking.
Panicked shoppers, including kids, could be seen running for cover in the video while others crouched on the floor.
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 09:47