A strong earthquake shakes part of southern Japan but no tsunami detected

Asia A strong earthquake shakes part of southern Japan but no tsunami detected July 28, 20268:51 AM ET By  The Associated Press An aerial image shows the damaged AEON Mall after an earthquake in Kashima, Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan, Tuesday. Kyodo News via AP hide caption toggle caption Kyodo News via AP TOKYO — An earthquake registering a magnitude of 7.1 shook Kumamoto on Japan's southern main island of Kyushu late Tuesday afternoon, causing damage and injuries, officials said. A tsunami advisory was temporarily issued but was lifted within two hours, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The agency said the tsunami advisory covered the nearby Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas on the western coasts of Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Fukuoka and Saga prefectures about 900 kilometers (560 miles) southwest of Tokyo. The U.S. Geological Survey initially said the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1, but revised it later to 6.8. A map showing the location of an earthquake in southern Japan. Will Jarrett/AP hide caption toggle caption Will Jarrett/AP Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in a message posted on X, said her government has set up a task force to gather information, assess possible damage and prepare for rescue operations if needed. Sponsor Message Takaichi later told reporters that there have been reports of a number of injuries and damages to roads, bridges and buildings, as well as blackouts and fire, though details are still unclear. Takaichi warned people cooking to be careful with fire and with shards of broken glass. Kyodo News agency said a hospital in Yatsushiro city accepted about 40 people with injuries from the quake. A train was derailed and fell on its side at the Yatsushiro station, and stone walls were damaged at the Kumamoto castle, Kyodo said. Yozo Kai, a priest at a Shinto shrine in the nearby town of Mashiki, said a few stone lanterns fell down. "I worried if the main hall and the gate would tilt again," he told Kyodo. "The shaking reminded me o...