Koreans in Japan recount panic after powerful Kumamoto earthquake
A 7.1-magnitude earthquake in Kumamoto triggered evacuations, disrupted travel and left Koreans in the country describing scenes of fear and confusion.
Furniture and items are strewn about inside Kumamoto Health Science University after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto, Japan, on July 28.JOONGANG ILBO
Koreans living in and visiting Kumamoto, on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, described scenes of panic and disruption after a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake with a seismic intensity of 7 struck the region. The quake forced evacuations, suspended transportation and made some travelers cut their trips short.
“Normally, we receive an earthquake warning before the shaking starts,” said a Korean who has lived in Kumamoto for 25 years. “This time, the building was already swaying violently from side to side when the alert went off. I never imagined I would experience another major earthquake like this only 10 years later.”
Kumamoto was devastated by a series of powerful earthquakes in April 2016, when two earthquakes, each with a seismic intensity of 7, struck only 28 hours apart, killing more than 200 people. Seismic intensity is a relative concept that measures how strongly an earthquake is felt at a specific location. An intensity of 7 is the highest level on Japan's seismic intensity scale.
“The company restricted access to the site over concerns about possible gas or chemical leaks,” said another Korean, the worker of Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, a TSMC subsidiary. Aftershocks measuring seismic intensity 3 to 4 continued into early Wednesday, the worker added.
The earthquake also disrupted travel across the region.
Roads connecting Kumamoto to neighboring areas were damaged, while Shinkansen (speed train) services were suspended, leaving many travelers scrambling to adjust their plans.
“We had planned to fly home from Aso Kumamoto Airport on Thursday, but traveling with my son has made me anxious,” a mother who was visiting Kumamoto with her older sister and 9-year-old son said. “We're trying to get to Fukuoka as early as possible and find another way back to Korea.”
The quake was also felt in neighboring Fukuoka prefecture.
People line up to enter a convenience store in Kumamoto after the earthquake on July 29.JOONGANG ILBO
“There wasn't even time to evacuate,” said a Korean traveler, who was shopping on the fifth floor of a Don Quijote store — one of Japan's best-known discount retail chains — in downtown Fukuoka when the earthquake struck. “Items fell from the shelves, and employees directed us to take cover beneath the checkout counters.”
As of Wednesday morning, some expressways toward Fukuoka had reopened, according to local residents and travelers. Aso Kumamoto Airport also resumed international flights, including a T'way Air service to Incheon departing at 10:25 a.m., although most domestic flights remained canceled.
Convenience stores, gas stations and other major facilities in Kumamoto still stayed closed.
Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that while no Korean casualties had been reported in Kumamoto as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, the earthquake has killed at least 13 people, and authorities have warned that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continued. Police, firefighters and Japan's Self-Defense Forces have been searching for missing people inside a collapsed Aeon Mall, one of the largest shopping complexes in Kumamoto prefecture.
“I called my mother in Kumamoto as soon as I heard about the earthquake, and fortunately she was safe,” said a Korean whose mother lives in the city. “Her workplace is near Aeon Mall, and she said she won’t be able to commute for a while since the roads were damaged.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
