• A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto prefecture.
• Tsunami warnings were issued for waves of up to 1 meter.
• Significant structural damage reported, including at Kumamoto Castle.
• Emergency alerts activated across multiple prefectures in Kyushu.
• No immediate reports of casualties, power outages affected thousands.

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck the Kumamoto prefecture in Japan's southern Kyushu region on July 28, with a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a tsunami warning for expected waves of up to 1 meter following the tremor. Emergency earthquake warnings were activated across multiple prefectures, including Kumamoto, Nagasaki, and Fukuoka, according to Channel News Asia and India Times.

The earthquake also caused significant structural damage; notably, parts of the centuries-old stone walls of Kumamoto Castle collapsed, generating considerable dust clouds. Authorities are actively assessing the damage to this cultural landmark, while the JMA has warned residents of potential aftershocks and advised them to remain cautious, as reported by Reuters and India Times.

Approximately 40,000 homes experienced power outages due to the earthquake, and rail services were halted, affecting transportation in the region. While there were no immediate reports of casualties, the Japanese government has established a task force to monitor the situation closely and provide assistance as needed, according to India Times and Reuters.