A powerful earthquake hit Fukuoka and other prefectures in northern Kyushu just before 11am local time, March the 20th.

At 11:20pm local time

Workmen struggle to right a vending machine Most windows shattered in this central office block. Still standing, but damaged. Plaster loss in Daimyo A wall collapses The monitors started on the table. Every floor of this building was damaged.

a total of 400 people were reported injured by Kyodo news. Local media are reporting the death of one person, a 75 year old woman trapped by a falling wall who died later in hospital. Two others are in critical condition, with a further 15 suffering broken bones. Most other injuries are believed to be minor.

Aftershocks are continuing, the most recent major aftershock being of magnitude 3. The main shock is reported as magnitude 7 on the Japanese scale of 7, or 6.4 on the Richter scale.

The epicentre of the quake is reported by the US geological survey as being 25miles WNW of Fukuoka, 6 miles beneath the seabed.

The Japan meterological agency is reporting that an aftershock of up to 6 on the Japanese scale is possible. The shock was felt at magnitude six in Fukuoka city.

Fukuoka airport was briefly closed for inspection. JR Kyushu reported the suspension of all train services, for several hours, as did local operators such as Nishitetsu.

Telephone services were badly affected for a time. Gas pipes ruptured in several parts of the city and news reports say that a landslide in Genkai Island has destroyed 20 houses.

The injured are being being airlifted out by Japan`s Self Defence Force after a request from the Prefectural government. There are reports of damage from across the region.

Eyewitness report:

Fukuoka has had the odd tremor in the past - but nothing like this for at least 30 years. Kyushu does get clobbered ocassionally - but south and central Kyushu, not us. The old joke is that the city is so boring even natural disasters give it a wide berth.

I was in my 9th floor apartment near the centre of Fukuoka when the preliminary shocks started. They were quickly followed by the main tremor which lasted, I would guess, in the region of 30 seconds.

That`s a long time for the floor to be doing things it shouldn`t... I watched as a 17 inch computer monitor literally rolled off a desk and onto the floor, shortly after followed by a 19 inch monitor.

All around was chaos - the walls of the apartment were not just vibrating, they were waving as the whole building shook with the abandon of a leaf in a storm.

I have been in several minor earthquakes before, they usually cause quizical interest rising to mild concern rather than real fear.

This was different, I, and everyone I have spoken to since, was at least moderately frightened.

Cupboards sprang open and their contents were thrown to the floor. A large, heavy television was tossed from its stand. Drawers were thrown almost completely open. Floor standing lights crashed around me. A bookshelf collapsed.

I hit the floor, then grabbed my circular desk as it was above my computer. Monitors scattered around me.

It`s difficult to gauge the amount of movement the tremor caused - I would say at it`s peak my apartment floor was moving backwards and forwards by about 80 to 90cm (around 2 foot 6 inches).

Anything in the apartment that could fall, did. The noise was similar to that of an aircraft taking off, broken by the sound of breaking glass. The shattered condition of cups and glasses makes it look like they were hurled, rather than merely fell, to the floor.

Pausing only to secure the computer and grab some money and a camera, I trotted next door to check the occupant had not been injured, and then on to the streets. A few minutes later the streets began to fill with mothers holding crying children. Within 5 minutes, the streets were beginning to become crowded.

Camera in hand, I trotted off to check for damage in the area. Daimyo, a nearby food and eating area with a mix of modern and older buildings, looked to have been comparatively badly hit. I needed a cup of tea rather badly.

No chance of that - many shops were closing, with large parts of their stock on the floor.

There were a moderate number of broken windows, tiles off roofs, plasterwork on the ground. Some buildings looked to be a write off - but most seemed to have weathered the quake better than I had expected.

It was almost impossible to get a

	I have a feeling we were lucky. Had the quake been just a little stronger, damage may have been rather more extensive. We will have to see what aftershocks come in - as I write this, the desk is shaking again.

voice connection on a mobile phone - although, surprisingly, quite possible to send email from the phone.

Most people were calm, if slightly dazed, as reaction set in. Here and there small groups of young women huddled under blankets, some crying and being comforted by friends.

In the centre of the city a number of slightly older office buildings had suffered damage to windows. In one large office block about 30% of the glass was broken.

The Shintencho shopping arcade was closed and cordoned off, presumably because there were doubts as to its structural integrity.

I have a feeling we were lucky. Had the quake been just a little stronger, damage may have been rather more extensive. We will have to see what aftershocks come in - as I write this, the desk is shaking again...

The Fukuoka Asian Art Museum Fair was closed after the quake struck and the pottery exhibition at Marine Messe was also badly hit.

An interesting spot to be in - a major pottery exhibition, during a 7 magnitude earthquake...®