Magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Japan kills 13 and severely damages infrastructure

Magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Japan kills 13 and severely damages infrastructure. When the ground that always felt like a solid foundation suddenly shakes, not only buildings and bridges collapse — the familiar structures of life crumble. In seconds, the line between safety and chaos is erased, and what comes to the fore is not only nature's power but also humanity's ability to endure, rebuild and protect. Kumamoto Prefecture, already familiar with seismic threats, has once again found itself at the epicentre of tragedy, reminding us that even the most advanced technology is powerless against the elements.

On Tuesday, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan, killing at least 13 people and causing severe and widespread damage to local infrastructure. Yatsushiro City is among the hardest hit areas. Powerful tremors caused major disruptions, with ongoing water and power outages severely affecting the affected communities. Structural damage is visible throughout the city, from collapsed industrial chimneys to failures in the local transport network.

China Media Group (CMG) correspondent He Xinlei, reporting from Yatsushiro, said: "The Ueyanagi Bridge, vital for local residents, has partially collapsed into the river – the pedestrian section is damaged, though vehicle traffic continues." The strong quake caused many bridges and road sections to collapse or suffer serious damage.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Wednesday that the government had confirmed 13 deaths. She also reported that three people died in an explosion at the AEON Mall Kumamoto, with many still trapped. After a chimney collapsed at the Nippon Paper plant in Yatsushiro, several people are missing, and intensive rescue operations continue at both sites.

Kumamoto Prefecture experienced a devastating earthquake in 2016, when two powerful tremors killed more than 200 people. The current quake once again highlights the region's seismic activity, where several active fault lines lie. Japanese authorities quickly deployed rescue teams and evacuation centres, but the scale of destruction is hampering infrastructure recovery.

As CCTV+ reports. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and meteorologists warn of possible aftershocks in the coming days