Powerful 7.1 quake strikes Japan’s Kumamoto day after deadliest tremor since 2011

A magnitude-7.1 earthquake has hit Japan near the city of Kumamoto on the island of Kyushu, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported. 

Tsunami warnings were briefly issued for the area which is still recovering from Thursday’s devastating tremors, Russia Today TV reported. 

The epicenter of the quake, which struck in the early hours of Saturday, was located at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, near the area where a 6.5 earthquake struck on Thursday.

According to the US Geological Survey, the quake had a magnitude of 7.0 and its epicenter was located just 1 km southwest of the city of Kumamoto.

A magnitude-5.8 aftershock has also been reported in the area.

The tsunami advisory was issued for the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas.

Several people were reported to have received injuries in the quake, Japan's NHK broadcaster said, adding that some people have been trapped in the area around Kumamoto.

There have been several reports of collapsed buildings and cracked roads.
Source : MENA