Powerful 6.5 Earthquake Strikes South Japan, Collapsing Houses

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 knocked over houses in southern Japan on Thursday evening, and police said people may be trapped underneath. Japanese Red Cross Kumamoto Hospital said it has admitted or treated 45 people, including five with serious injuries.

The quake struck at 9:26 p.m. at a depth of 11 kilometers (7 miles) near Kumamoto city on the island of Kyushu, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. There was no tsunami risk. “The shaking was so violent I couldn’t stand still,” said Hironobu Kosaki, a Kumamoto Prefectural Police night-duty official. FULL REPORT