A magnitude 7.1 quake struck the Kumamoto prefecture on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu at around 4.30pm local time today (28 July).
An aftershock measuring up to magnitude five struck about 30 minutes later.
A tsunami warning was immediately issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency, warning of waves of up to a metre high in the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea coastal areas.
The warning was lifted around two hours later, but the Japanese Government has issued emergency earthquake warnings for areas across Kyushu island, including Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, Miyazaki and Kumamoto itself.
Several buildings are understood to have collapsed close to the epicentre in the city of Uki, and there are reports of numerous fires.
In an update to its travel advice, the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) said: “There are reports of disruption to air and rail services.
“Train lines in Kyushu have been suspended and flights to and from Kumamoto airport have been disrupted.”
The FCDO also warned of possible aftershocks.
