A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s Kyushu region, with its epicentre near Uki City in Kumamoto Prefecture, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning and order coastal residents to evacuate to higher ground immediately.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), tsunami waves of up to 3.28 feet (1 metre) could reach parts of the coastline following the strong undersea quake. Emergency alerts have been issued across several prefectures as authorities monitor the situation.

The Japanese government has declared earthquake alerts in the southern Kyushu prefectures of Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita and Miyazaki. Officials have urged residents to remain away from coastal areas and follow evacuation instructions until the threat subsides.

The earthquake was so powerful that many people found it difficult to remain standing, while buildings shook violently across the affected region. Emergency response teams have been deployed, and rescue and damage assessment operations are currently underway.

In addition to Kumamoto, tremors of intensity 5 or lower were reported in neighbouring prefectures, including Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga and Miyazaki.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the earthquake originated at a depth of 10 kilometres beneath the surface near Uki City, south of Kumamoto.

The powerful tremor also disrupted electricity supply in the region. According to Kyushu Electric Power, nearly 45,600 households in Kumamoto Prefecture were left without power following the earthquake.

Authorities are continuing to assess the extent of the damage and have advised residents to remain alert for possible aftershocks while rescue and restoration efforts continue.