A magnitude 7.1 earthquake shakes part of southern Japan but no tsunami detected - AP News

What the report says

Associated Press reported that a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu late Tuesday afternoon, July 28, 2026, causing deaths, injuries and structural damage. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory for the Ariake and Yatsushiro seas, but it was withdrawn within about two hours. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said there were reports of damage to roads, bridges and buildings, along with power outages and fires.

According to AP, officials said at least three people were dead and roughly 30 were injured across Kagoshima prefecture by Wednesday. In Kashima Town, part of the Aeon Mall shopping center collapsed, and local emergency officials said four people had been rescued with injuries while 10 others remained unaccounted for as search-and-rescue work continued. Japanese broadcasters and newspapers cited in the AP report described a suspected gas-related explosion at the mall after the quake.

The quake also damaged notable infrastructure and landmarks. Images distributed by Kyodo News via AP showed damage at the Aeon Mall, a partially collapsed bridge in Yatsushiro, fallen signage in Kumamoto and damage to the stone wall of Kumamoto Castle. AP also reported damage at a Nippon Paper Industries factory in Yatsushiro, where a chimney collapsed and people were reported trapped.

Japan is among the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, and strong quakes often trigger rapid tsunami assessments, transport disruption and building safety checks. The Kyushu damage is significant because it involves casualties, active rescue operations and harm to both public infrastructure and a major historic site.