Japan confirms 13 dead, dozens injured after powerful Kyushu earthquake

Japanese authorities have confirmed that 13 people were killed and dozens injured following the powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck the island of Kyushu, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said, as reported by TASS.

According to Kihara, seven people sustained serious injuries, while 29 others suffered minor injuries. Dozens of victims remain hospitalised, and more than 9,000 people are staying in evacuation centres.

The government said 36,900 households remain without electricity, 9,500 gas customers are still affected by service disruptions, and 84,000 homes are without running water. Communications have also been disrupted in parts of Kumamoto Prefecture.

Around 4,600 personnel from the Japan Self-Defense Forces have been deployed to assist with disaster response efforts.

The 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kyushu a day earlier, prompting a tsunami advisory warning of waves of up to one meter along the coasts of Ariake and Yatsushiro bays.

The disaster damaged buildings, roads and bridges, while nearly 50,000 households initially lost power.

By Jeyhun Aghazada