• A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto, Japan, causing significant damage.
• A tsunami warning was issued but later lifted; infrastructure was damaged.
• Reports indicate injuries, blackouts, and part of a shopping center collapsed.
• Prime Minister urged residents to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks.
• No abnormalities reported at nearby nuclear facilities.

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan's southern Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, prompting tsunami warnings and emergency alerts across several prefectures. The tremor was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers (approx. 6 miles) beneath the seabed, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Channel News Asia, India Times, and Reuters.

The earthquake knocked out power to approximately 40,000 homes, disrupted rail services, and caused parts of the Aeon Mall shopping center in Kashima Town to collapse, leaving many trapped and unaccounted for. Emergency authorities are engaged in ongoing damage assessments, noting injuries and infrastructural impacts as well India Times, Al Jazeera, and Los Angeles Times.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced that a task force has been established to gather information, assess damages, and prepare for potential rescue operations. She emphasized the need for vigilance, especially against possible aftershocks, as residents reported feeling strong tremors from the quake Al Jazeera, NPR, and Los Angeles Times.

The JMA issued a tsunami warning for waves of up to one meter, which was lifted shortly after. Despite the earthquake's severity, no substantial threats to nuclear power facilities were reported, according to Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority Channel News Asia and India Times.