POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN LEAVES 9 DEAD, HUNDREDS INJURED

The agency warned that more aftershocks – some as strong as magnitude 6 -- were expected to occur over the next several days. Spokesperson Gen Aoki said people in stricken areas should be prepared for the possible collapse of buildings and landslides. The earthquake struck the area of Kumamoto Prefecture at about 9:26 p.m. Thursday, the meteorological agency said. Japanese television interrupted regular programming to show live video of burning homes and rubble. At least 16,000 homes lost power, according to Nippon Television. Bullet train operations in the area were temporarily halted.

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said at a press conference that Japan Self Defense Force troops, planes and helicopters were being sent to the area to assess the damage and help with rescue operations. None of the nuclear power plants in the affected area reported damage, according to a statement released by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s office. Some 23,000 people were taking shelter at about 350 sites in the prefecture by early Friday, according to the Kyodo News Service. Eight people were reported missing. According to police and firefighters, about 20 houses collapsed in and around Mashiki, trapping people in buildings and under debris.