Japan Earthquake: Dozens Missing After Mall Collapse and Explosion in Kumamoto

A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck southwestern Japan on Tuesday, causing widespread damage and prompting a tsunami advisory. In Kumamoto Prefecture, a significant number of people are feared dead after a shopping center partially collapsed following a reported explosion. Police received reports of an explosion at the Aeon Mall in Kashima city, though they could not immediately confirm fatalities.

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A considerable number of people died in a shopping center after the powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake that hit southwestern Japan this Tuesday.

Emergency services had previously indicated that "several people" were trapped inside the building after a floor collapsed. Public broadcaster NHK reported that between 20 and 30 employees remain unaccounted for. Aerial images showed smoke emanating from the mall complex shortly after the earthquake, as rescue teams worked at the scene. At least fifty individuals were transported to regional hospitals with injuries, according to NHK.

The tremor hit the main southern island of Kyushu late Tuesday afternoon, causing injuries and damage. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory for the nearby Ariake and Yatsushiro seas, which was lifted two hours later. The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the earthquake's magnitude as 7.1, later revising it to 6.8.

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Several people were trapped inside the building after a floor collapsed.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced that the government had established a task force to gather information and assess damage for potential rescue operations. She later informed reporters about initial reports of multiple injuries, damage to routes, bridges, and buildings, as well as power outages and fires, though details remained unclear. Takaichi cautioned residents about fire hazards and broken glass.

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We have received reports of what sounded like an explosion at the Aeon Mall in the city of Kashima, in Kumamoto Prefecture, but we cannot confirm if there were fatalities in the shopping center.

News agency Kyodo reported that a hospital in Yatsushiro city treated approximately 40 earthquake-related injuries. A train derailed and tilted at Yatsushiro station, and stone walls were damaged at Kumamoto Castle. Social media footage depicted scenes of panic inside a supermarket as the building shook.

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There have been reports of several injuries and damage to routes, bridges, and buildings, as well as power outages and fires, although the details are still unclear.