Deadly 7.3 quake in Southern Japan

[malaise]

http://news.sky.com/story/1679484/magnitude-7-3-earthquake-hits-southern-japan
<snip>
A 7.3-magnitude earthquake has hit the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto.

The Japanese Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning, warning that waves of one metre were expected to put people near the sea in danger but later lifted it.

But the United States Geological Service (USGS) said that, based upon their analysis, there was a 56% chance of between 1,000 and 10,000 fatalities.

[WhiteTara]

1. Is this another quake? They had one yesterday

that was 6.5. It was in the same area.

[malaise]

2. Yes -both were in the same area

The quake, which was initially rated at 7.4 but later downgraded and then upgraded again, hit at 1.26am on Saturday, local time, barely 24 hours after a 6.2 quake hit the same area.

[WhiteTara]

5. Oh my. Those poor people

[Warren DeMontague]

3. Oy.

Stay safe.

[bdwker]

4. Is this in addition to the 7.0 a few hours ago?

terrible

[malaise]

6. Here's a good report

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/15/japan-hit-by-74-magnitude-earthquake-tsunami-advisory
<snip>
A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 has struck southern Japan, barely 24 hours after a smaller quake hit the same region and killed nine people.

While it was not immediately clear whether the latest quake increased the death toll, authorities said hundreds of calls had come in from residents reporting people trapped inside houses and buildings.

The fire and disaster management agency said 66 people were trapped inside a nursing home in Mashiki, the town hit hardest, and rescue efforts were under way. No other details were immediately available.

[betsuni]

7. On the news just now,

98,000 people evacuated, 37 dead.

[smirkymonkey]

8. I can't imagine how terrifying that must be.

Those poor people. I hope the worst is over.

[Art_from_Ark]

9. The worst might not be over

The Japan Meteorological Agency is forecasting heavy rains for the area that might trigger landslides. And they are also saying that severe aftershocks will be highly likely to occur over the next week or so.

[betsuni]

10. Heard from a friend in Kyushu

that Kumamoto city "has collapsed," no electricity or water. Hospitals can't do much to help people, the most severely injured are flown out. Now it's raining. Who knows how many people may be in trouble in inaccessible rural areas.