At least seven people died after a powerful earthquake hit southern Japan today, following another that had struck the region earlier, an official said as rescuers desperately searched for victims trapped in rubble.
Takayuki Matsushita, an official with Kumamoto prefecture on the quake-hit southern island of Kyushu, said seven were confirmed dead, citing police and fire departments.
Public broadcaster NHK, meanwhile, put the death toll at nine and said there were at least 760 people injured.
