External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has expressed solidarity with Japan following the powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture, conveying India’s support to the Japanese government and people as rescue and relief operations continue.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said he was deeply concerned by the disaster and prayed for the safety and recovery of those affected.
“Deeply concerned at the news of the earthquake that struck Kumamoto prefecture in Japan. Express our solidarity and support to the Government and people of Japan as they respond to it. Pray for the safety and recovery of those affected by the earthquake,” he said.
The powerful earthquake struck Japan’s southwestern Kyushu region at around 4:27 p.m. local time on Tuesday, registering the maximum Level 7 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale. It was the strongest shaking recorded in the country since the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake and the first intensity-7 quake in Kumamoto since the twin earthquakes of 2016.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi immediately activated the government’s emergency response mechanism by establishing an Emergency Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters to coordinate rescue and relief operations.
In a statement, Takaichi said the government would prioritise search and rescue efforts while ensuring the supply of essential items, including food, drinking water, portable cooling equipment and power vehicles, amid widespread power outages, water shortages and concerns over heatstroke.
“The government will work tirelessly through the night to swiftly assess the overall damage situation and carry out emergency disaster response measures, starting with the rescue and lifesaving of those affected,” the Prime Minister said.
She also spoke with Kumamoto Governor Kimura to assess the situation on the ground and assured comprehensive support from the national government.
The earthquake caused widespread structural damage, including collapsed buildings, damaged roads and fires, and was followed by multiple aftershocks. Rescue teams and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have been deployed across the affected areas as authorities continue search and relief operations.
-ANI
