A powerful 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu on Thursday, collapsing homes, sparking fires and leaving three people dead, media and government said, as officials scrambled to assess the extent of the damage.
At least 12 people were injured and 19 houses collapsed in Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, the government’s top spokesman, announced, adding that 350 military personnel had been dispatched for rescue work.
Broadcaster NHK reported that three people were killed, though there was no official confirmation, adding more may be trapped in rubble.
Bullet train services were halted on the island, media said.
Hours later a another powerful quake measuring magnitude 6.4 hit the same region just after midnight local time on Friday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The initial quake was the first of more than a dozen to rock the region in one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe convened an emergency response meeting of emergency officials at his office to plot a response.
Cameras showed violent shaking in the city of Kumamoto at the time of the first earthquake, which was felt throughout Kyushu.
Japan's two sole operating nuclear reactors, located on Kyushu, were functioning normally, an official at the Sendai plant operated by Kyushu Electric Power told AFP, though he said technicians were checking for damage.
"We are doing our best for emergency disaster measures by prioritising efforts to save and rescue victims," Suga said.
"I ask people in the disaster zone to act calmly and help each other."
NHK reported that some buildings had collapsed in the town of Mashiki in Kumamoto with people possibly trapped underneath.
It showed a what appeared to be a house in flames as firefighters attempted to douse it with water. It reported a total of three fires sparked by the quakes.
Jiji reported that shinkansen – bullet train – services were halted on the island, while NHK said one of the trains had derailed though it was not carrying passengers at the time.
It was not clear if the train was travelling or stationary.
Highest level intensity
NHK also showed some damage including lumps of broken concrete on a street in Kumamoto. Residents stood outside making calls on mobile phones.
NHK showed residents taking refuge outside, saying that the quake's shaking was intense and had caused some power outages.
The first quake struck at 9.26pm (1226 GMT) in Kumamoto at a relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, which said there was no danger of a tsunami.
It was followed about 30 minutes later by a smaller one with a magnitude of 5.7, the agency said, counting about two dozen aftershocks in total.
The stronger quake was measured at 6.2 by the US Geological Survey, which put the second quake at 5.4. Another smaller aftershock followed.
Aftershocks were likely to continue for about a week, it said.
The quake also registered at the highest level of Japan's seven-scale quake intensity system, which measures shaking on the ground.
A quake of that size can cause people to lurch about and furniture to shoot around a room.
Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences around 20 percent of the world's most powerful earthquakes.
But rigid building codes and strict enforcement mean even powerful tremors frequently do limited damage.
A massive undersea quake that hit on March 11, 2011, sent a tsunami barrelling into Japan's northeast coast, leaving about 18,500 people dead or missing, and sending several reactors into meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant in the worst atomic accident in a generation.
AFP
Thu Apr 14 2016
Residents stand on the street following an earthquake in Kumamoto city on April 14, 2016. - AFP/Jiji Press
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.