Japan earthquake: Mall explosion kills 3 in Kumamoto

Three people have been confirmed dead after an explosion rocked an AEON Mall in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, in the aftermath of a major earthquake. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that many others are still trapped inside the AEON Mall Kumamoto, a large shopping complex in Kashima City.

In addition to the mall incident, several people are missing following the collapse of a smokestack at the Nippon Paper factory in Yatsushiro City. Intensive rescue operations are continuing at both locations, with rescuers facing challenges over 20 hours after the initial earthquake.

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there are still people waiting to be rescued

Approximately 450 evacuation centers have been established, sheltering around 7,700 people. Authorities anticipate prolonged evacuations due to ongoing hot weather. Japan's Self-Defense Forces have expanded their deployment, with about 4,600 personnel involved in disaster response, supported by approximately 2,000 police officers.

Earlier reports confirmed 13 fatalities from the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto on Tuesday. Authorities also received reports of seven serious injuries and 29 minor injuries. The mall, which had recently opened last month, saw its workers and shoppers thrown to the floor or engulfed in dust clouds by the quake. Shortly after, an explosion tore through the building, exposing its steel structure and scattering debris.

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I guess there was a bomb that exploded