Aerial footage shows damage to major expressway during earthquake
Aerial footage broadcast by NHK shows extensive damage to the Kyushu Expressway after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck.
Several bridge sections appear to have shifted and separated at expansion joints.
The earthquake has caused significant damage to buildings and roads and also sparked fires.
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 11:22
Seven fires have broken out in earthquake-hit region
Japan’s disaster management agency has said that at least seven fires have broken out in Kumamoto Prefecture as of 6pm local time.
Most were in Kumamoto City, it said.
(Reuters)
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 11:14
At least 50 people being treated in a town in Kumamoto
A hospital in the town of Hikawa in Kumamoto Prefecture was treating at least 50 people injured in the earthquake, according to public broadcaster NHK.
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 11:07
Pictures show damage caused by earthquake 
A collapsed part of Kumamoto Castle’s stone walls after an earthquake (Reuters)
A damaged fallen signboard outside a Saizeriya restaurant (Reuters)
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 11:01
Tsunami warning lifted as authorities assess damage
The tsunami warning issued after a powerful earthquake has been lifted.
Emergency officials are continuing to assess the extent of the damage in areas near the epicentre, where buildings collapsed, fires broke out and several people were reported injured.
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 10:43
JMA asks people to remain alert for week
The Japan Meteorological Agency has asked people to remain on alert for the next week as potential earthquakes with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 – the maximum on Japan’s own scale – could follow,
“Please pay full attention to possible future earthquakes and rain, and stay away from dangerous places,” it said in a press conference.
“Also, for the next week or so, especially during the next two to three days, we would like people to watch out for potential earthquakes with a maximum seismic intensity of 7.”
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 10:39
Several reported to be injured near epicentre, PM says
Several people have been reported injured near the epicentre of the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture.
Speaking to reporters at her office in Tokyo, Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi said they are receiving reports that some people have been injured, but the extent of casualties and property damage was being assessed.
“We have already been informed that people have been injured,” Takaichi said.
The epicentre of the 7.1-magnitude quake was near Uto, a coastal city in Kumamoto Prefecture, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 10:28
Buildings damaged and fires reported after quake
Footage broadcast by NHK showed several buildings collapsed near the epicentre of the powerful earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.
The fire department in the city of Uki told the broadcaster it had received numerous emergency calls as multiple fires broke out across the city following the quake.
The fire department said it was assessing the situation.
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 10:22
Live: Japan struck by 7.1 magnitude earthquake as Tsunami warning issued
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 10:15
More than 48,000 households lose power after powerful Japan earthquake
Electricity was cut to about 48,300 households in Kumamoto Prefecture following the powerful earthquake, according to Kyushu Electric Power.
The utility urged residents not to touch downed or severed power lines and to report any damaged electrical equipment or other abnormalities as restoration efforts continue.
Shweta Sharma28 July 2026 10:14