Coastal zones along the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea were placed under a tsunami advisory by Japanese meteorological authorities following a powerful quake in Kumamoto Prefecture
Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan was hit by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, after which Japanese meteorological authorities moved quickly to place nearby shorelines under a tsunami advisory, according to NBC News.
At roughly 4:27 p.m. local time, the tremor reached the top of Japan's seismic intensity scale and was recorded at a depth of around 6 miles, according to NBC News. A tsunami advisory covering the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea coastlines followed shortly after.
Authorities told people living near the affected shores to evacuate without delay and not to return before the advisory had been formally rescinded, according to NBC News.
No damage had been reported as of early Tuesday, according to ABC News. The public was directed by officials to keep clear of the water's edge and surrounding coastal areas. Seismologists at the United States Geological Survey placed the quake's depth at slightly more than 6 miles beneath the surface, according to ABC News.
Coverage from both outlets indicated the story remained fluid at the time of publication.
Update, July 28, 2026: The quake knocked out power to thousands of homes and halted rail services in the affected region. Sony $SONY and TSMC $TSM both have manufacturing plants in the area. (per CNN)
Update, July 28, 2026: At least 12 buildings have collapsed in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, and at least seven fires have been reported in the prefecture. Dozens of people have been injured. (per NBC News)
Update, July 28, 2026: Several people are feared trapped in a collapsed shopping mall following the quake, and a highway bridge buckled in the affected area. TSMC evacuated workers from its nearby plant as a precaution. (per CNN)
Update, July 28, 2026: About 50 people were injured in the earthquake. (per CNN)