• One person was killed and at least 50 people injured in a magnitude-7.1 earthquake that hit south-western Japan, causing severe damage to roads, buildings, and a shopping centre in Kumamoto prefecture.
• Around 48,000 households in Kumamoto lost power, with a dozen houses collapsing and 10 residents of a care home among the injured, while no irregularities were reported at nuclear power plants following the earthquake.
• Strong aftershocks hit Kyushu after the initial quake, prompting the national meteorological agency to warn of possible further tremors in the region, leading Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to instruct ministries to assess the situation and send soldiers to provide reinforcement for rescue teams.

One person was killed and at least 50 people injured when a magnitude-7.1 earthquake hit south-western Japan on Tuesday afternoon, local media reported.

Japanese news agency Kyodo reported late in the evening that the victim died when a house collapsed in Kumamoto prefecture on the main island of Kyushu, which was particularly badly affected.

Kyodo said some roads and buildings were severely damaged, while a freight train derailed. The Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that several sections of motorways in Kyushu were closed, while high-speed and local train services were suspended. The runways at Aso Kumamoto Airport were also closed until further notice.

The famous Kumamoto Castle was affected, with part of its stone wall shown to be damaged in footage shared by Kyodo.

According to preliminary police reports, around a dozen houses collapsed.

Around 48,000 households in Kumamoto lost power, the authorities said. Among the injured were around 10 residents of a care home, according to NHK.

Citing plant operators, Japanese media reported no irregularities at nuclear power plants as a result of the powerful tremor.

An explosion occurred at a large shopping centre in Kashima in Kumamoto, NHK reported. Aerial footage showed considerable damage.

Emergency services were continuing to search for people after the explosion, with media reports saying 20-30 staff members were still missing late in the evening. Kyodo said the reasons for the explosion were still unknown, but that staff and customers had already been evacuated from the shopping centre following the earthquake.

The earthquake's epicentre was located in the Kumamoto region at a depth of 10 kilometres. Strong aftershocks hit Kyushu shortly after the initial quake, and the meteorological agency warned that further strong tremors were possible in the region over the coming days.

The national meteorological agency has since lifted a warning of a tsunami of up to 1 metre.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed her ministries to assess the situation swiftly and take the necessary emergency measures, NHK reported.

The government has sent soldiers to the region to provide reinforcement for the rescue teams.

The Kumamoto region was struck by a severe earthquake 10 years ago, measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale.

Dozens of people lost their lives as a result, while tens of thousands had to be temporarily housed in emergency accommodation. There was also severe damage to buildings, including Kumamoto Castle.