Magnitude 7.1 earthquake rocks southern Japan | ABC NEWS

Let's take you to some developing news in Japan.A magnitude 7 .1 earthquake has struck the country's southern Kumamoto prefecture, knocking out power to thousands of homes and triggering evacuation orders and warnings for aftershocks.Let's get the latest on this with North Asia correspondent Natalie Whiting, who joins us from Tokyo.Natalie, what can you tell us?

Well, this is a major earthquake that's been recorded, Yvonne.We've seen, as you say, 7 .1 as a preliminary magnitude.It has damaged several buildings, shrines, other structures, including bridges.There's reports of a train derailment along with fires.So look, it has caused significant damage in the Kumamoto region.It was followed by several other quakes as well.

There was a 6 .1 earthquake recorded shortly afterwards, and there have been dozens of other smaller quakes.Fortunately, initial tsunami advisory warnings have since been lifted.There were initial concerns that we could see waves of up to one metre, but that has been lifted.However, as I say, obviously there's still a lot of damage that still needs to be assessed.Local media is also reporting that police have told them nine people still need to be accounted for.So look, it is certainly developing situation and there are warnings that there could be further earthquakes following this, further aftershocks and also a concern that we could see another quake of similar magnitude.

So certainly people in the region are being advised to be across the warnings to avoid coastal areas and damage in the area.