Two earthquakes struck Kumamoto prefecture in Japan on 14 and 16 April 2016 resulting in more than 2,000 casualties (NHK 5:00 PM 16 April) and 32 deaths (NHK 5:00 PM 16 April)
The first earthquake (9.26 PM, 14 April 2016, magnitude 6.5) caused most of the reported casualties. The second earthquake (1:25 am 16 January magnitude 7.3) struck the same area in Kumamoto prefecture (mainly Mashiki town and Kumamoto city) causing additional damage. (69,000 people from the area have been evacuated due to the risk of aftershocks which is believed to have limited the number of additional casualties). 105,000 houses without gas and 385,000 houses without water(according to the Japanese government 12 PM 16 April)
・Japan's only working nuclear power plant is located in Kyushu. Officials say there are no irregularities with the two reactors and that they remain in operation.
・Utility services have been disrupted: water and gas lines have been cut off in some areas of the prefecture
・Transport: Kumamoto Airport shut the terminal building, all Saturday flights cancelled, Shinkansen Rail bullet trains suspended.
Japanese Red Cross provides relief items to evacuees after two earthquakes in Kumamoto
JRCS Red Cross hospitals: As of 11:10 16 April Kumamoto Red Cross Hospital had received 765 patients after the earthquake Out of these, 405 people were treated on 15 April and 360 on 16 April. The 92 Red Cross hospitals in the country are a unique feature of the Japanese Red Cross Society. These hospitals play an important role in disaster response in Japan.
JRCS Red Cross hospitals treat people who were injured after the earthquakes in Kumamoto
JRCS distribution of relief items: Local Japanese Red Cross chapters distributed 4,900 blankets to people who had evacuated from their homes and are staying in emergency shelters due to continuing aftershocks. The Red Cross also distributed 500 family emergency kits containing basic personal hygiene items. 200 sleeping mats with pillows and 200 tarpaulins were also distributed.
Japanese Red Cross distributes relief items to people affected by the earthquakes in Kumamoto
JRCS emergency medical teams. Local Japanese Red Cross chapters in the prefecture dispatched eight emergency medical teams to assist the earthquake victims. (The JRCS has 500 emergency medical teams always on standby, located at branches all over Japan with a total of 7,000 medical and support personnel who are specifically trained in disaster response)
Japanese Red Cross hospitals play a key role in disaster response in the country
