Kumamoto Quake Damages 45 Medical Facilities; Power, Water Outages Reported

A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto region, severely impacting local infrastructure and emergency services. According to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, at least 45 medical institutions suffered damage as of late Thursday. These facilities are grappling with widespread power outages, disrupted water supplies, and damaged medical gas equipment, hindering their ability to provide critical care.

The seismic event, which occurred Thursday afternoon, caused significant destruction across multiple towns and cities, including Uki and Mashiki. The tremors were so intense that they were felt in neighboring South Korea. Residents described scenes of chaos, with televisions falling, mirrors shattering, and roads sustaining damage. The ongoing aftershocks have heightened anxiety among the population, many of whom are preparing emergency kits.

Michal Posen, a 25-year-old English teacher from London who has lived in Kumamoto for two years, recounted her experience during the earthquake. "The TV fell on me, and the mirror shattered, and the roads around my house were damaged," she told the BBC. She added that the public's anxiety is palpable, recalling a similar severe earthquake in Kumamoto a decade ago. Consequently, water and food supplies in local stores have been rapidly depleted.

Eyewitnesses reported explosions and fires at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping center before a section of its second floor collapsed. The cause of the explosions remains unclear. Firefighters are currently working through the debris, searching for individuals who may still be trapped within the collapsed structure. The full extent of the damage and casualties is still being assessed as rescue operations continue.

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The TV fell on me, and the mirror shattered, and the roads around my house were damaged.