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Official messages from Saudi Arabia’s leadership expressed deepest condolences to Japan following the deadly earthquake that hit Kumamoto Prefecture on July 29. King Salman conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to Emperor Naruhito, the families of the deceased and the Japanese people while praying for the safe return of those missing and a swift recovery for the injured. The king further hoped that Japan would be spared any additional harm from the disaster. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman separately sent his sincere condolences and support to the emperor and those affected according to the statements. He echoed the same wishes for the missing persons’ safe return, the injured’s quick healing and protection from further adversity for the country.
A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday according to Japanese authorities and reports compiled by Nippon.com. The tremor triggered a tsunami advisory for parts of the Ariake and Yatsushiro Sea coastlines with waves possibly reaching up to one metre. Emergency alerts urged coastal residents to stay clear of shorelines while rail services were temporarily suspended for safety inspections across the region. Japanese officials revised initial magnitude estimates and confirmed the shallow depth of around 10 kilometres intensified shaking throughout Kyushu island.
Japanese authorities placed the death toll at a minimum of 13 with dozens more injured and at least seven people still missing as rescue operations continued. The quake sparked multiple fires brought down buildings and bridges and toppled steel towers in the affected areas. Power supplies were disrupted to approximately 48,000 households in the aftermath compounding challenges for emergency responders. Local governments opened shelters including the Matsubashi-higashi Emergency Control Center in Uki where displaced residents sought safety.
Kumamoto lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire where Japan experiences roughly one-fifth of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or greater according to seismic data referenced in regional coverage. The area previously suffered major damage in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes which registered up to magnitude 7.0 and resulted in about 50 fatalities along with widespread destruction. Tuesday’s event damaged structures still recovering from that earlier disaster including a shopping mall that had required extensive rebuilding. Officials continue to warn of strong aftershocks in the coming days.
Several other world leaders joined Saudi Arabia in offering support to Japan in the hours after the quake. Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable to Emperor Naruhito expressing condolences and wishes for recovery among the injured according to statements shared by Doha News. Kuwait’s Amir conveyed similar sentiments highlighting the loss of life and injuries that affected hundreds. Tajikistan’s foreign ministry also issued a statement extending deepest condolences to the Japanese government and people while expressing solidarity in the wake of the tragedy.
The Saudi messages align with a pattern of swift diplomatic outreach from the kingdom during international disasters. Such gestures underscore longstanding bilateral ties between Riyadh and Tokyo that encompass economic cooperation and cultural exchange. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was referenced in some reports as coordinating the national response with hopes for rapid restoration of affected communities. Emergency teams from across Japan mobilized to assess structural damage and restore essential services in the hardest-hit zones.
