Earthquake Parameters
· Date and Time: July 28, 2026, at 16:27 JST (07:27 UTC).
· Magnitude:
· 7.1: As measured by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
· 6.8: As measured by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
· Epicenter: Kumamoto region, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu.
· Depth: Approximately 10 km (6 miles).
· Maximum Seismic Intensity: Shindo 7, the highest level on Japan's seismic scale. Recorded in Uki City and Hikawa Town.
Casualties (As of 29 July 2026)
· Confirmed Deaths: At least 13.
· Cardiopulmonary Arrest: 5 people were in this preliminary medical status.
· Injuries: Dozens, including at least 8 serious and 15 minor injuries.
· Displaced: Approximately 9,900 residents were evacuated to shelters.
Aftershocks
· Number: Over 100 aftershocks occurred.
· Warnings: JMA warned of potential strong aftershocks (up to Shindo 7) for about one week, with heightened caution for the following 2–3 days.
Damage & Impact
· Infrastructure: Widespread building collapses, road and bridge cracks, and fires were reported.
· Transportation: Rail services (including Shinkansen) were suspended; a freight train derailed in Yatsushiro Station; the Kumamoto Airport runway was temporarily closed.
· Power Outages: Over 48,000 households lost electricity.
· Nuclear Power Plants: No abnormalities were reported at the Sendai, Genkai, or Ikata nuclear plants.
· Heritage: Stone walls at Kumamoto Castle collapsed.
Key Incident Sites
· Aeon Mall Kumamoto (Kashima Town):
· An explosion occurred approximately one hour after the earthquake.
· Part of the second floor collapsed.
· Three people died in the explosion.
· Four people were transported to hospitals; one was rescued from a bathroom.
· Some workers remained unaccounted for.
· Paper Factory (Yatsushiro City):
· Two people were found with no signs of life.
· Nine people remained unaccounted for.
Government & Environmental Response
· Government: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated rescue efforts were "a race against time". Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi announced approximately 300 air-conditioning units would be airlifted to affected areas.
· Weather: Daytime temperatures reached approximately 35°C (95°F), with officials warning of heatstroke risk for rescuers and evacuees. ← Back to Fiveo1