TOKYO- Rescuers in southern Japan are searching for trapped residents in at least two dozen collapsed houses, after a powerful earthquake struck.
    
The quake, measuring 6.5, knocked out power and water and swept people off their feet on the island of Kyushu. A hospital says it has admitted or treated 45 people, including five with serious injuries.
    
A Japanese official says at least 19 houses collapsed. Hundreds of calls came in reporting building damage and people buried under debris or trapped inside.
    
Because the quake struck at night, the extent of the damage wasn't immediately clear.
    
The epicenter of the quake was about 75 miles from Japan's only operating nuclear plant. Most of Japan's reactors are still offline following the meltdowns at one plant caused by a huge earthquake and tsunami in 2011.