Kumamoto's 7.1 Earthquake: Residents Recall Terrifying Moments—'Couldn't Tell Up from Down,' Elderly Man Says 'I Thought I Was Going to Die'

A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu, Japan, at 3:27 p.m. Taiwan time on April 28. The epicenter was located in Kumamoto, with a shallow focal depth of just 10 kilometers. According to Japan's Meteorological Agency, the quake registered a maximum seismic intensity of 7.

By 6:00 p.m. local time, approximately 48,170 households were without power. Residents reported intense shaking lasting about one minute, with many describing the experience as terrifying and life-threatening.

A 38-year-old man working at a supermarket in Hikawa Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, said, 'Suddenly, there was a loud 'boom,' and violent lateral shaking began, lasting about 15 seconds. Then the power went out immediately. Cardboard boxes and products on shelves all collapsed—everything was in chaos inside the store.'

A 24-year-old woman in Uki City, also hit by intensity 7 shaking, said kitchen drawers flew open, and items were thrown to the floor. 'The shaking lasted about a minute, and aftershocks kept coming. A tsunami advisory was issued nearby, so many cars headed to higher ground. I was really scared,' she said.

A 77-year-old woman living in Kumamoto City, where intensity 6-strong was recorded, described the quake as extremely violent. 'First, I heard a rumbling sound from the ground, then strong side-to-side shaking. It got so intense I couldn't tell if I was being shaken up and down or side to side. I couldn't stand without holding onto something. Dishes fell everywhere, and I could see buildings and utility poles swaying violently outside,' she recalled.

She added, 'Ten years ago, there was a foreshock, then the main shock came. I'm really worried it could happen again. I need to be mentally prepared. I have relatives in Uki City and Hikawa Town—I need to contact them first.'

In the Higashi Ward of Kumamoto City, where intensity 5-strong was recorded, a 78-year-old man was watering his garden when the quake hit. 'I thought the big shaking was over, but then several strong aftershocks came. I really thought I was going to die. The shaking lasted over 15 seconds—I had to spread my legs wide just to stay upright,' he said.

His 77-year-old wife is currently hospitalized in Kumamoto City, but he confirmed she is safe. 'I still remember clearly the two magnitude 7 quakes on April 14 and 16, ten years ago. The cracks in my house from back then are still there,' he said. 'Just thinking that another big shock like in 2016 might come—I can't sleep at night.'

Japan's Meteorological Agency held a press conference after the quake, explaining that the event occurred near the seismic zone of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes. Experts warn of possible strong aftershocks over the next week, urging continued vigilance. Damage has been reported at Kumamoto Castle, including partial collapses of stone walls, dealing a heavy blow to a region still recovering from past disasters.