Kumamoto, Japan Hit by 7.1 Quake; Nagasaki Records Intensity 5 and Landslide

On July 28, a magnitude 7.1 shallow earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, with a maximum observed intensity of 7 on the Japanese scale and a focal depth of about 10 km. The tremor was also strongly felt in neighboring Nagasaki Prefecture, where Shimabara City recorded an intensity of 5‑strong.

The shaking triggered a landslide on Mt. Eyebrow (Meyasan) in Shimabara, damaging water pipes and telephone lines. Japanese authorities are assessing the damage. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching‑te expressed condolences, stating, “I sincerely pray for the safety of all disaster victims,” and said Taiwan stands ready to provide assistance to the affected regions.