Japan: Magnitude-4.6 earthquake occurssouth of Kumamoto city June 26

Event

A magnitude-4.6 earthquake occurred immediately south of Kumamoto city, in the namesake prefecture on Kyushu Island at around 21:44 June 26. The epicenter was about 2 km (1.2 miles) north-northeast of Honmachi. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt throughout much of Kyushu. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, the epicenter was in an urban area and damage cannot be discounted. Authorities have ordered the evacuation of approximately 9,000 people in Misato, located in Shimomashiki District. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days.

Officials are likely to temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.