Multiple people trapped inside shopping centre in Japan after earthquake – live updates

An ⁠earthquake ​with ⁠a ⁠preliminary magnitude ​of ‌7.1 ‌struck ‌the country’s Kumamoto prefecture

The ⁠UN nuclear watchdog said ⁠that Japan’s ​nuclear regulation ⁠authority has informed it that there ⁠is ​no ‌damage ‌or safety issues ‌at the Sendai nuclear power plant after a ‌7.1-magnitude earthquake hit Japan’s southern ​Kumamoto prefecture.

“The IAEA will continue ⁠to monitor the ​situation,” ​said the watchdog ​in ​a ‌post ​on X.

At around 4:27 p.m. today, an earthquake with its epicenter in the Kumamoto region of Kumamoto Prefecture occurred, and strong shaking with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 was observed in Uki City and Makigawa Town in Kumamoto Prefecture.

In connection with this earthquake, a tsunami advisory has been issued for Ariake Bay and Yatsushiro Sea, and tsunamis of about 1 meter are expected. Please refrain from approaching the coast.

From me, to the relevant ministries and agencies - Urgently grasp the damage situation - Closely coordinate with local governments, and under the policy of prioritizing human life, the entire government will fully engage in emergency disaster response measures such as lifesaving and rescue for the affected people - Timely and accurate provision of information to the public regarding tsunamis and damage, etc. I have instructed these three points.

To those in the areas where the shaking was strong, I would like to ask you to continue to be vigilant against the occurrence of earthquakes of the same magnitude.

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