Earthquake Followed by Explosion Devastates Japanese Shopping Mall

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan, causing widespread damage, including the collapse of large sections of a shopping mall's ceiling and the blowing open of store fronts. Workers inside the Aeon Mall Kumamoto described being thrown to the floor by the intense tremor.

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I thought a bomb had gone off.

However, the earthquake was followed by a more devastating event. Approximately an hour after the initial quake, a massive explosion ripped through the mall. This blast exposed the building's steel beams and sent debris flying into the parking lot, creating a scene of chaos and horror for hundreds of shoppers and employees who had been evacuated.

First responders faced a perilous situation, initially hesitant to enter the unstable wreckage. By early Wednesday, they managed to rescue eight people from the partially collapsed site. Tragically, three of those rescued were dead. The fate of four store workers remains uncertain, according to mall operator Aeon, which is investigating a potential gas leak as the cause of the explosion.

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There were people calling on others to evacuate and sirens were ringing out. Nearby roads were gridlocked, it was a state of panic.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the situation as a "race against time" to find survivors. Around 170 soldiers have been deployed to assist in the rescue efforts at the mall, which had recently reopened after seismic reinforcements following a decade-old earthquake. Despite the mall's touted safety features, the recent tremor shook the building for 10 seconds, and staff promptly initiated evacuation protocols for over 200 people.

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it was a “race against time” to rescue those still trapped in the mall and others affected by the quake.