A powerful earthquake hit Japan’s southern Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday, triggering tsunami warnings in the area. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 and occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers (just over 6 miles).
The earthquake happened around 4:27 p.m. local time (3:27 a.m. ET). Following the quake, a tsunami advisory was issued for the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas. Residents were instructed to promptly evacuate coastal regions and remain away until officials lifted the advisory.
The full extent of the impact on the ground is still being assessed. Reports indicated that part of the outer walls of the Kumamoto Castle, a popular tourist site, was damaged, creating a large cloud of dust. An account associated with the castle announced online that operations would be paused for the rest of the day due to the earthquake’s impact.
This seismic event comes over ten years after the castle sustained damage in the catastrophic earthquakes that devastated the area in 2016.
Live video streaming from Kumamoto City displayed buildings shaking during the tremor. The National Weather Service confirmed that there was no tsunami alert, advisory, watch, or threat for Hawaii or American Samoa.
This story is evolving, and more updates will be provided as new information becomes available.