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CatastropheJapan

Powerful earthquake hits southern Japan

08:52

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Biresh Banerjee
July 28, 2026

A powerful earthquake has hit the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. The epicenter was just south of the city of Kumamoto. There are initial reports of at least 50 people injured and damage to roads and houses.

"We are currently assessing the damage and the number of casualties," Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said In a televised statement.

DW's anchor speaks to journalist Martin Fritz, who says there will likely be fewer casualties than during the earthquake that hit the region in 2016.

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