Tsunami warning lifted in southern Japan after 7.1 quake

By Magyar Ádám & MTI Published on 28/07/2026 - 13:56 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Power is out in around 50,000 homes and 50 people are in hospital but authorities say no large waves are expected off Kyushu. According to preliminary measurements, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture in southern Japan late on Tuesday afternoon, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The agency said the quake began on the seabed off the coast of Kumamoto at a depth of about ten kilometres, triggering a tsunami warning that was lifted shortly afterwards. Around 50 people were taken to hospital. There were no immediate reports of damage. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged the public on the X social media platform to stay away from the coast. She said the government had set up a taskforce to gather information, assess any potential damage and, if necessary, prepare rescue operations. The Japanese government had earlier issued warnings for the affected areas, including the prefectures of Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita and Miyazaki on the island of Kyushu. Authorities urged around 150,000 people to seek refuge in shelters specifically designated for earthquakes. The quake left at least 48,000 households without electricity on Kyushu, and rail services were suspended, with Shinkansen bullet trains also halted. Areas affected by the earthquake in southern Japan Japán meteorológiai szolgálat (JMA) Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority said no irregularities had been detected at three nuclear power plants close to the quake. The strong tremor was also felt in parts of South Korea, including the major south-eastern port city of Busan. The area has a history of quakes; 10 years ago, a powerful earthquake in Kumamoto claimed 275 lives, injured 2,739 people and left tens of thousands of residents homeless. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more No evidence Hungary corruption probe breached rule of law, say experts, contrary to political claims Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' daughter Suri drops her estranged father's last name The timing of war and peace is not yours to decide, Iran tells US Natural catastrophe Japan Earthquake