A 6.4 magnitude quake struck the Japanese island of Kyushu this morning (New Zealand time), killing at least two people and injuring hundreds more.
There are reports of substantial building damage with dozens of houses collapsing in the shaking, BBC News reports.
Although the quake was not as strong as the devastating magnitude 9 quake that struck Japan in 2011, ground motion was extensive. “When you have a shallow earthquake, such as this one is, you have the potential for more damage because the shaking is close to the surface,” John Bellini of the U.S. Geological Survey told CNN. Aftershocks are expected.
NZ Coverage of the quake includes:
Newstalk ZB: Deaths following large quake in Japan
Stuff.co.nz: Strong quakes hit southern Japan
Newshub: Quake brings down buildings in Japan
New Zealand Herald: Strong quake kills at least two, injures 45 in Japan
RNZ: Deadly quake shakes southern Japan