Tokyo: A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck south-west Japan on July 29, injuring several people, disrupting transport and power supplies, and prompting authorities to order more than 150,000 residents to evacuate before a tsunami advisory was lifted.
The earthquake struck inland on Japan’s Kyushu island at 4:27 pm local time with a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Officials warned residents to remain alert for strong aftershocks, saying shallow earthquakes can trigger further significant tremors.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the authorities were still assessing the full extent of the damage but confirmed that several people had already been injured. Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that around 10 of the injured were residents of an elderly care home, while at least 50 people were receiving treatment in hospitals.
本日16時27分頃、熊本県熊本地方を震源とする地震が発生し、熊本県宇城市、氷川町で最大震度７の強い揺れを観測しました。
この地震に伴い、有明・八代海に津波注意報が発表され、１メートル程度の津波が予想されています。海岸には近づかないよう注意してください。…
— 高市早苗 (@takaichi_sanae) July 28, 2026
Television footage showed cracked roads, damaged bridges and several buildings on fire following the earthquake. Rail services were suspended across affected areas, while electricity supplies were cut to thousands of homes as emergency crews worked to restore essential services.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara noted first responders, including Japan’s Self-Defence Forces, firefighters and coast guard personnel, had been deployed to assist rescue operations and assess damage. Authorities urged residents in heavily affected areas to closely follow official evacuation instructions and remain calm as emergency operations continued.
The tsunami advisory issued on July 29 was lifted within an hour after officials determined there was no significant tsunami threat. However, evacuation orders remained in place for many communities as authorities monitored the risk of aftershocks and inspected infrastructure for further damage.
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