Kumamoto Earthquake (M7.3) — Apr 16, 2016
Kumamoto, Kumamoto Pref.
Magnitude
M7.3
Recovery
1+ mo
Peak news
451art.
A M6.5 foreshock on April 14 (itself Intensity 7) was followed by the M7.3 main shock in the early hours of April 16. Two Seismic Intensity 7 events in a single sequence — a first in JMA history. Major collapse of Kumamoto Castle stone walls; Aso Bridge fell into the gorge.
273 dead (50 direct, 223 disaster-related), 2,809 injured
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4/14 21:26
M6.5 foreshock, Kumamoto City Intensity 7 — initially mistaken for the main shock
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4/16 01:25
M7.3 main shock, Mashiki Town Intensity 7
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4/16 01:45
Kyushu Shinkansen suspended across entire line (no trains in motion; no derailment)
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4/16 06:00
Kumamoto Airport terminal ceiling partially collapsed; closed for 3 days
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4/20
Kyushu Shinkansen partial service resumed (Kagoshima section)
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4/27
Kyushu Shinkansen full line resumed (13 days after quake)
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4/28
Through-service to Sanyo Shinkansen resumed
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약 2개월 후
Conventional rail fully restored around Kumamoto (~2 months after quake)
Airport
Kumamoto Airport closed April 16–18 (3 days). Reduced flights after reopening. Over 528,000 accommodation cancellations across six Kyushu prefectures.
Shinkansen / Rail
Kyushu Shinkansen suspended for 13 days. Track subsidence and cracking required full inspection. No derailment as no trains were running at the time of the quake.
Accommodation
146,000 cancellations in Kumamoto Prefecture, 150,000 in Oita. Over 568,000 room-nights cancelled across Kyushu by May 2. Some Kumamoto city hotels converted to evacuation shelters.
Other
Kumamoto Castle and major attractions closed long-term. Road collapse cut land routes between Oita and Kumamoto. Estimated damage up to ¥4.6 trillion for Kumamoto and Oita combined.