At 4:43 p.m. this afternoon (August 8, local time), a 7.1-magnitude earthquake shook the southwestern region of Japan, causing severe tremors across a wide area. Immediately, a series of tsunami warnings were issued, warning of high risks for many coastal areas of Japan. This event not only created an urgent crisis but also forced people and authorities to urgently respond to ensure safety and minimize damage.
According to information from Japanese media, the earthquake had an epicenter at a depth of about 30 km in the Hyuga-nada sea area and then waves of about 50 cm high appeared at Miyazaki Port, Miyazaki Prefecture at 5:14 p.m. In addition, a series of other large waves also occurred in Aburatsu, Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture, Kochi, Tosashimizu, Shibushi Port in Kagoshima.
Local authorities have issued warnings of a tsunami of up to 1 meter in many western areas of the Kyushu and Shikoku islands after the 7.1-magnitude earthquake that occurred this afternoon. High-speed rail systems in many areas have been temporarily suspended to ensure safety.
Currently, the Sendai nuclear power plants in Kagoshima Prefecture and Ikata in Ehime Prefecture have not recorded any abnormal signs. In response to the situation, the Japan Meteorological Agency will hold a press conference at 5:45 p.m. this afternoon (local time) to provide detailed information on warning points and instructions on how to protect themselves, and advise people to stay away from coastal areas.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Government has also established an Emergency Disaster Response Office at the Crisis Management Center to collect information, coordinate and promptly handle the situation between relevant ministries, sectors and local authorities.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called for timely and accurate information on the earthquake and tsunami, and requested immediate implementation of evacuation and damage prevention measures. He emphasized the need to determine the extent of the damage and closely coordinate with local authorities in rescue and relief work. As of 6:00 p.m. this afternoon (local time), there have been a number of non-life-threatening injuries, and more than 100 people have been evacuated to safe areas.
Houses, cars and roads are damaged by an earthquake on January 2, 2024 in Kanazawa city, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan – Photo: KYODO
According to the latest report from the Disaster Prevention Office Headquarters of the Fire and Disaster Prevention Agency, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan, as of 7:30 p.m. on August 8 (local time), a strong earthquake with its epicenter in the Nada Hyuga-nada Sea, Miyazaki Prefecture, has caused at least 9 injuries and damaged many buildings. National Highway 220 in Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture, has been temporarily closed, and there is currently no information on when it will reopen.
Meanwhile, according to a report from the Nichinan City Crisis Management Office, Miyazaki Prefecture, the earthquake has broken many water systems and damaged many buildings. Authorities are blocking roads to ensure the safety of residents.
We will continue to monitor and update the latest developments on this earthquake to provide full and timely information to readers.
