Kumamoto Earthquake Forces Newsroom Staff to Shelters Under Desks

Footage released by a Japanese broadcaster captured newsroom staff ducking for safety as a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto in southwestern Japan, killing 13 people. The tremor, which struck at approximately 1:00 a.m. local time, was felt across the Kyushu region and triggered immediate emergency protocols at media facilities and other public institutions.

Rescue teams were dispatched to the affected areas, and authorities reported extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges and historic sites. The death toll, confirmed by the prefectural government, stood at 13, with dozens more injured and many displaced. Officials emphasized ongoing efforts to provide relief and to assess the full extent of the disaster, while urging residents to remain vigilant for aftershocks.