A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan's southwestern Kumamoto prefecture on July 28, according to BBC News. The quake's epicenter was located at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the seismic intensity reached a maximum of 7 on the Japanese scale. At least 50 people were injured, and approximately 48,000 households lost power, as reported by Kyodo news agency.

More than 150,000 residents were ordered to evacuate to designated shelters. A brief tsunami warning was issued but was lifted within an hour.

Officials confirmed that several people were trapped inside the Aeon Mall shopping center in Kumamoto. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that casualties and damage are still being assessed.

“We have received reports of injuries,” Takaichi said. “Some areas experienced power outages and fires. Roads and bridges have been damaged, and some buildings have collapsed.”

Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, recording about 1,500 earthquakes annually. It lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of volcanic and seismic activity. Approximately 20% of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher occur in Japan.

Source: www.gazeta.uz