Tokyo, Apr 16 (IANS): At least 11 people were killed and over 880 injured as a powerful earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter Scale hit Kyushu region in southwestern Japan on Saturday.
The quake, with epicentre in Kumamoto prefecture, occurred around 1.25 a.m. (local time), NHK news cited Japan's Meteorological Agency as saying.
The quake triggered landslide in Minamiaso village, Xinhua news agency reported.
Houses in the Aso city collapsed and roads bulged after the quake. A main way in the city heading to Kumamoto city was blocked due to severe damages.
The Japanese government spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, said around 20,000 Self-Defence Forces members were dispatched to the prefecture to help disaster relief operations.
The meteorological agency issued a tsunami advisory for coastal areas of the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas, but lifted it about 50 minutes later.