A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck in Kumamoto Prefecture in western Kyushu, Japan, at about 4:27 p.m. on the 28th.

People watch earthquake coverage in Japan on the 28th / Courtesy of AFP-Yonhap

According to NHK, the epicenter was in the Kumamoto region of Kumamoto Prefecture, and the quake depth is estimated at 10 km.

Shaking at intensity 7 was observed in Kumamoto City and elsewhere from this quake. In the Japanese seismic intensity scale, "intensity 7" is the highest level, indicating shaking so strong that a person cannot remain standing.

The Japan Meteorological Agency also issued a tsunami advisory for the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea. The expected tsunami height is 1 m.

Kumamoto suffered heavy damage when magnitude-6.5 and magnitude-7.3 earthquakes struck 28 hours apart on Apr. 14, 2016. At the time, 228 deaths were recorded under the Japanese Cabinet Office's tally.

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