Japanese authorities issued a tsunami warning on Tuesday after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the country’s southwestern Kyushu island, disrupting electricity supply to tens of thousands of homes and prompting emergency response measures.
The earthquake struck at about 4:27 p.m. local time and registered the maximum level seven on Japan’s Shindo seismic intensity scale, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
The agency warned that tsunami waves of up to one metre could reach coastal areas, while public broadcaster NHK reported that waves approaching that height may already have been observed.
Authorities immediately urged residents in affected coastal communities to remain alert as emergency teams assessed the impact of the quake.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority said initial inspections found no abnormalities at nearby nuclear power plants, while Kyushu Electric Power confirmed that three nuclear reactors in the region continued operating normally.
However, the utility company reported that the earthquake disrupted electricity supply to about 45,000 households and other facilities across Kumamoto Prefecture.
Live television coverage captured the intensity of the tremor, with an NHK reporter wearing a safety helmet struggling to maintain his balance as aftershocks continued.
He described the shaking as so violent that standing became difficult and urged residents to remain cautious, warning that further tremors were possible.
READ ALSO:Â Japan Tightens Student Visa Process With Stricter Documentation Rules
Tuesday’s earthquake revived memories of the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, when two major tremors measuring 6.5 and 7.3 struck within days of each other, claiming 273 lives and leaving more than 2,800 people injured.
Japan remains one of the world’s most earthquake-prone nations due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where four major tectonic plates converge. The country experiences hundreds of earthquakes annually, accounting for nearly one-fifth of all recorded earthquakes worldwide.
The nation is still haunted by the catastrophic 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck in 2011, killing or leaving about 18,500 people missing and triggering the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Earlier this year, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake also shook northern Japan, injuring at least 10 people and prompting authorities to issue a temporary advisory warning of an elevated risk of even stronger seismic activity.
Emergency officials continue to monitor Tuesday’s situation as assessments of damage and possible aftershocks remain ongoing.