Japan experienced a powerful earthquake on Thursday, resulting in a tsunami alert and several injuries. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the southwestern Miyazaki province on Honshu island at around 0742 GMT. Initially, the magnitude was reported as 6.9 but was later revised to 7.1.
Local authorities issued a tsunami advisory for the provinces of Kochi, Miyazaki, Ehime, Oita, and Kagoshima. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) later lifted the advisory for all but Miyazaki, as reported by public broadcaster NHK.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed that at least three people were injured in the affected areas. The JMA issued a “mega-quake” advisory, warning of potential strong aftershocks following Thursday’s earthquake.
The agency noted an increased likelihood of a “huge” earthquake occurring in the Nankai Trough, an underwater trough located south of Nankaido on Honshu island.
Hayashi advised the public to avoid traveling to the quake-affected areas. No decision has been made to deploy defense forces to the region.
The earthquake, occurring at a depth of approximately 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) off Miyazaki, registered lower than 6 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale of 7 in Nichinan city, according to Tokyo-based Kyodo News.
Authorities shut down Miyazaki airport and reported no issues at nearby nuclear plants. Ikata and Sendai nuclear power plants in Ehime and Kagoshima prefectures reported no abnormalities.
Bullet train services were temporarily suspended, and footage on NHK showed swaying vehicles and wobbling traffic signals and utility poles. There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant injuries.–News Desk