Power supply disrupted to more than 48,000 homes as authorities assess damage; train services suspended for safety checks

A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southwestern Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday, injuring more than 40 people, damaging infrastructure and disrupting electricity to over 48,300 households. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) also issued a tsunami advisory following the strong tremor before authorities began monitoring coastal areas.

According to the JMA, the earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres near the coastal city of Uto in Kumamoto Prefecture. The quake was recorded at the highest Level 7 on Japan's Shindo intensity scale, indicating extremely strong ground shaking capable of causing significant structural damage.

Homes lose power, roads and buildings damaged

Authorities said the earthquake caused extensive damage in several parts of Kumamoto, with roads developing large cracks and sections of walls collapsing. Parts of the historic Kumamoto Castle's stone walls were also damaged by the powerful tremors.

Power utility Kyushu Electric Power reported that electricity supply was interrupted to more than 48,300 homes, adding that restoration work had begun immediately.

Emergency teams were deployed across the affected region as officials continued assessing the full extent of the damage.

Tsunami advisory and aftershock warning

Following the earthquake, the JMA warned that tsunami waves of up to one metre could reach parts of Japan's southwestern coastline.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to stay away from coastal areas and remain alert for possible aftershocks. She said the government had established an emergency task force to monitor the situation, coordinate rescue efforts and collect information from affected districts.

Authorities have also cautioned people against returning to damaged buildings until safety inspections are completed.

Transport services temporarily suspended

As a precautionary measure, Shinkansen bullet train services and several local railway operations across Kyushu were temporarily suspended to allow engineers to inspect tracks and related infrastructure.

The Japanese Defence Ministry deployed aircraft to conduct aerial surveys of the affected region and assist local authorities in assessing the impact of the earthquake.

Meanwhile, Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that inspections at three nearby nuclear power plants found no abnormalities, easing concerns over any nuclear-related emergency.

Japan's high earthquake risk

Japan remains one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where four major tectonic plates converge.

The country has one of the world's most advanced earthquake preparedness systems, developed after devastating disasters such as the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, which triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster and claimed more than 15,000 lives.

Officials have advised residents in Kumamoto and neighbouring areas to remain vigilant as strong aftershocks remain possible over the coming days.

7.8-magnitude Philippines earthquake injures 134, triggers evacuations and aftershocks; tsunami wave up to 1.4m recorded

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Mindanao early Monday, killing at least 32 people, injuring 134 and collapsing several commercial buildings, officials and local reports said. The temblor — one of the strongest to hit the Philippines in recent years — also produced tsunami waves measured at up to 1.4 metres (about 4.6 feet) and prompted mass evacuations along coastal areas.

Quake and immediate impact
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred at 5:07 am Indian Standard Time with an epicentre located roughly 35 km beneath the surface near Mindanao. Initial reports and local officials said shops, offices and other commercial structures sustained heavy damage in cities and towns near the epicentre, and some buildings collapsed.

Philippine authorities put the confirmed death toll at 32 but cautioned the figure remained provisional pending verification by the national disaster agency. “Fatalities are still being validated,” a spokesperson said. Local civil defence offices reported at least seven people missing and 134 injured as rescue teams moved into the hardest-hit areas.

Tsunami alerts and waves
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) recorded tsunami activity in six Mindanao locations, with the highest sea surge reaching 1.4 metres. PHIVOLCS later lifted tsunami alerts for southern provinces after an extended observation period found the disturbances too small to cause further damage, the agency said in an advisory.

Neighbours briefly issued warnings. Indonesia and Malaysia raised tsunami advisories for some coastal sectors, and agencies including Japan’s meteorological service and the US tsunami warning system issued alerts for parts of the wider region. Most regional warnings were withdrawn within hours as wave heights diminished and risks receded.

Aftershocks and ongoing danger
By 11 am local time PHIVOLCS had logged 138 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 1.3 to 6.7. Officials warned that strong aftershocks can continue for days and may further damage already weakened structures, complicating rescue operations. “Aftershocks remain a serious concern,” a disaster-response official said, urging people to avoid unstable buildings.

Ground reports and local response
Scenes from General Santos City and neighbouring provinces showed people rushing into the streets at dawn, with power outages reported in parts of the city. Regional authorities published photographs showing cracked walls, damaged shopfronts and a partially collapsed police station in Alabel town, Sarangani province.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered immediate evacuations in coastal zones and suspended classes across parts of Mindanao. He directed government agencies to begin relief and search-and-rescue operations, the presidential office said. Tens of thousands of residents were reported moving to higher ground in the hours after the quake.

Why the Philippines is vulnerable
The Philippines sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of intense seismic and volcanic activity that stretches across the Pacific Basin. Tectonic plate movements make the country prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and it also faces about 20 typhoons annually. The recent disaster follows a deadly October 2025 quake in Cebu that killed dozens and injured many more.

Humanitarian and infrastructure concerns
Rescue teams are prioritising trapped and injured people while assessing damage to roads, communications and power lines that hamper response efforts. Local hospitals reported a surge of patients; medical teams are triaging injuries and preparing for possible increases should aftershocks trigger new collapses.

What comes next
Authorities said search-and-rescue operations would continue through the day and formal casualty verification would be completed as teams reach isolated areas. Phivolcs and disaster-response agencies urged residents to stay clear of damaged structures and to heed evacuation orders. International monitoring agencies will continue to track aftershocks and any further sea-level changes.

Related coverage will follow as officials release verified casualty lists and more details on the scale of infrastructure damage and relief measures.