- A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southern Kumamoto Prefecture, causing significant damage and multiple fatalities.
- The second floor of the Aeon Mall shopping centre in Kashima Town collapsed following an explosion, with multiple people confirmed dead. An unknown number of people remain trapped with rescue operations currently underway.
- Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to evacuate to safe locations, citing reports of collapsed buildings, fires, damaged roads, and widespread power outages.
- A tsunami warning was initially issued for Kyushu's south-western coastlines but was subsequently lifted within two hours by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
- The earthquake led to the evacuation of approximately 300,000 people, deployment of hundreds of soldiers for rescue efforts, and disruption of services including mobile networks and electricity for 40,000 homes.
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