Text / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department compiled report
A powerful 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, at 9:26 p.m. Japan time on April 14. The quake reached intensity level 7, with numerous and strong aftershocks, the strongest being as high as magnitude 6.4. Like the main quake, these were shallow earthquakes, resulting in particularly noticeable shaking. Most of the damage occurred in the Mashiki area in northern Kumamoto, where many houses collapsed and Japanese residents were trapped. Reports include one death and seven serious injuries due to collapsed buildings. The Kyushu Shinkansen was also derailed and suspended due to the strong quake. Regarding Taiwanese travelers, the Tourism Bureau has reported that all are safe so far.
[Updated 2016.04.15 18:00]
The current disaster situation from this earthquake is nine deaths and over a thousand injured. Many roads have collapsed, and numerous houses are either half-collapsed or completely destroyed, leaving survivors still shaken.
Kumamoto Castle. (Photo / TRAVELER Luxe Traveler)
Taiwanese tourists planning to fly to Kumamoto, Japan, in the near future are advised to call their airline to confirm flight conditions. For example, China Airlines' direct flights between Kaohsiung and Kumamoto – the flight status for April 15 still needs final confirmation. Passengers must carefully check before departure whether their flights are operating normally.