Hotel guests gather at the lobby after another earthquake hit the area in Kumamoto, southern Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo April 16, 2016. (Photo/CFP)
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck southern Japan early on Saturday, killing at least 11 people, injuring hundreds more and trapping people in collapsed buildings, media reported, just over a day after a quake killed nine people in the same region.
Authorities warned of damage over a wide area with reports of fires, power outages, collapsed bridges and gaping holes in the earth. Residents near a dam were told to leave because of fears it might crumble, broadcaster NHK said.
Saturday's quake triggered a tsunami advisory, although it was later lifted and no irregularities were reported at three nuclear power plants in the area, a senior government official said. There were at least 50 aftershocks from Saturday's quake.
People still reeling from Thursday's shock poured onto the streets after the Saturday earthquake hit at 1:25 am (1625 GMT).
TV Asahi showed rescue efforts for what it said were 11 trapped people in a university apartment in the town of Minami Aso.
A fire erupted in a what appeared to be an apartment building in Yatsushiro city, while some people were trapped in a nursing home in the town of Mashiki, according to NHK.
