Tremors from Major Japan Quake Felt in Korea...Evacuation in Busan as Citizens Flee Buildings (Update)

Tremors of Up to Intensity 3 Detected in Busan and Surrounding Areas

"Felt the Building Shaking Side-to-Side for About 10 Seconds"

A magnitude 7.1 strong earthquake occurred in Kyushu, Japan, causing tremors to be felt mainly in the southern regions of South Korea. Provided by the Korea Meteorological Administration

The tremors from a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan on July 28 were detected mainly in the southern regions of Korea, including Busan.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the earthquake occurred at around 4:27 p.m. on this day, approximately 23 kilometers south of Kumamoto City in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.

In Busan, the tremors reached a maximum intensity of 3 on the instrumental seismic scale. The Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters reported receiving 157 calls about the earthquake, and reports are still being made.

A citizen in the Centum City area of Haeundae District, Busan, said, “The tremors were so strong that everyone inside the building evacuated.” Another citizen in Yeongdo District recounted, “I felt the building shaking side-to-side for about 10 seconds.”

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, a maximum intensity of 3 on the instrumental seismic scale was recorded not only in Busan but also in Gyeongnam, Jeonnam and Gwangju, and Jeju. An intensity level of 3 means the tremor is “distinctly felt indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings, and stationary vehicles may shake slightly.”

In Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Gyeongbuk, Daegu, Ulsan, Jeonbuk, Chungnam, and Chungbuk, instrumental seismic intensity level 2 was recorded. A level 2 intensity means the vibration is “felt only by a few people in quiet surroundings or on the upper floors of buildings.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.