I f southern Japan is in your travel plans over the next few weeks, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to two earthquakes, which struck the Kyushu region of Japan on Thursday, April 14, 2016 and Saturday, April 16, 2016 — resulting in at least nine and 32 deaths respectively; as well as a minimum of 968 injuries.
The death toll is expected to increase.
Two Major Earthquakes Strike Japan
The earthquakes were reminiscent of the two major earthquakes which occurred in Japan back in 2011: an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.9 and an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 on the Richter scale — but the earthquake on Thursday was measured with a magnitude of 6.2; while the one on Saturday was measured with a magnitude of 7.0, according to this report from the United States Geological Survey.
If two major earthquakes were not enough, heavy rains and winds were expected to hamper the efforts of emergency and rescue crews through the weekend. Some survivors are currently trapped in rubble from crumbled buildings; while nervous residents were forced to seek refuge in crowded evacuation centers while the region experiences violent aftershocks.
Approximately 92,000 people had evacuated their homes, of which at least 90 were destroyed and an estimated 775 were damaged.
FlyerTalk members discuss the earthquakes in Japan here; and some in Japan have posted reports and updates.
Summary
If you have flights scheduled to southern portions of Japan, check with the airline which operates your flights to see if they are affected. Flights to Tokyo should not be affected; but taking a couple of minutes to check and be sure never hurts.
In the meantime, my thoughts and prayers go out to the people who are dead, injured, missing and are otherwise adversely affected by the earthquake; as well as their family, friends and colleagues.
Source of map: United States Geological Survey.
