Source: CNN
Emergency crews in southwestern Japan were searching late Tuesday for survivors trapped inside a partially collapsed shopping centre following a powerful earthquake on the island of Kyushu.
The tremor struck Kumamoto prefecture late in the afternoon, with the Japan Meteorological Agency recording a preliminary magnitude of 7.1, while the US Geological Survey estimated the strength at 6.8. The heavy structural movement caused the second floor of the Aeon Mall in Kashima Town to collapse, trapping workers and visitors inside.
Local reports indicated that between 20 and 30 employees at the retail complex remained unaccounted for as rescue teams navigated debris and structural damage to reach the interior. Elsewhere in the region, emergency teams investigated a paper plant in Yatsushiro City after a factory chimney collapsed, leaving several industrial workers missing.
Search and rescue operations continued through the night, with thousands of military personnel deployed to assist local firefighters and police. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that government responders are prioritizing human life above all else as they work across affected communities.
The earthquake disrupted basic utilities and transportation infrastructure across Kyushu. Tens of thousands of households lost electrical power, while several towns reported severe water supply outages. Structural damage occurred on regional highways, high-speed rail lines were suspended, and flights were grounded. Historic landmarks were also damaged, including the partial failure of stone walls at the 17th-century Kumamoto Castle.
Seismologists recorded dozens of aftershocks following the initial quake and instructed residents to stay cautious over the coming days. The region previously experienced severe loss of life a decade ago, when successive quakes in April 2016 caused significant devastation across the prefecture.
