Did the Cat in Japan Sense the Earthquake Before It Happened?

A video circulating on social media after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck southwestern Japan's Kyushu Island shows a cat becoming agitated and carefully observing its surroundings just seconds before the quake hit.The footage from a pet camera shows the cat initially lying calmly on the bed, then suddenly jumping up and watching its surroundings closely. Seconds later, the earthquake occurs. The room is violently shaken, and various objects inside are seen falling to the ground.The images have reignited claims that animals can sense large earthquakes before humans do. However, scientists say there is no strong scientific evidence that animals can predict earthquakes with certainty, but some animals may be able to detect the tremors or sounds that occur just before an earthquake more quickly than humans.The earthquake hit the Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu Island, causing widespread destruction, fires, and leaving thousands of homes without electricity.Japanese authorities reported that at least 13 people were killed, with many more injured, due to the collapse of buildings. Rescue teams are working to reach those trapped under the rubble.Following the earthquake, officials stated that there were casualties, as well as collapsed buildings, fires, and damaged roads. Government Spokesperson Minoru Kihara announced on Wednesday that 9,186 people from five prefectures, including Kumamoto and Fukuoka, were placed in 506 evacuation centers.The officials also reported that 7 people were seriously injured and 29 were lightly injured. One of the most affected areas was a shopping mall in Kashima, where a gas leak was believed to have caused a partial collapse of the building.Eight people were rescued from the rubble, but the number of people still trapped inside is not yet clear. At the Nippon Paper Industries factory in Yatsushiro, rescue efforts are being hindered by the partial collapse of a damaged chimney. Local authorities reported that 9 people are missing from the facility.The earthquake also caused significant damage to bridges, roads, and transportation infrastructure. A pedestrian bridge collapsed into a river, and a freight train derailed and overturned. Japan experienced one of its largest disasters in 2011, when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami resulted in the loss of approximately 18,500 lives.