(VOVworld) - At least nine people were killed and hundreds injured when an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale hit the island of Kyushu in southwestern Japan late Thursday.

Residents walk along collapsed houses in Mashiki, Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan (Photo: AP)

The earthquake destroyed many houses and caused a number of fires. 800 people, 53 of them in critical condition, are under treatment. An estimated 44,000 people have been evacuated and are taking shelter at 500 temporary sites in Kumamoto district.

Rescuers worked overnight searching for survivors trapped under debris. Firefighters have been deployed to battle blazes likely caused by the deadly quake. 103 aftershocks had been reported by early Friday morning.