Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Japan, Shopping Mall Partially Collapses, Dozens Feared Trapped

Japan- A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday, causing widespread damage, partially collapsing a shopping mall, and leaving dozens of people missing or injured.
The earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture, about 900 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. The second floor of the AEON Mall in Kashima Town collapsed during the tremor, trapping an unknown number of people inside. According to local police cited by Kyodo News, around 20 to 30 employees remain missing, while several others were rescued from the debris and taken to nearby hospitals.
A tsunami advisory was briefly issued for the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas along the western coast of Kumamoto and neighboring prefectures but was lifted within two hours after authorities determined there was no major tsunami threat.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said officials had received reports of damage to roads, bridges, and buildings, along with power outages and fires, though the full extent of the destruction was still being assessed.
Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency said there were no immediate reports of serious damage to major public infrastructure. The Nuclear Regulation Authority also confirmed that inspections found no abnormalities at three nearby nuclear power plants.
Hospitals across the affected region treated dozens of injured people. A hospital in Yatsushiro City admitted around 40 patients, while another 50 people were transported to a medical facility in Kumamoto City, according to Kyodo.
Transportation across Kyushu was severely disrupted. Shinkansen bullet train services and local rail operations were suspended for safety inspections, while Aso Kumamoto Airport temporarily closed its runway with no immediate timeline for reopening.
Japan’s Defense Ministry dispatched aircraft to assess the damage and assist emergency response efforts.
The earthquake also caused a train to derail at Yatsushiro Station, while parts of the historic Kumamoto Castle suffered damage, including collapsed stone walls.
Residents described terrifying scenes as buildings shook violently. “The shaking reminded me of the Kumamoto quake 10 years ago, and I was frightened,” said Hiroki Shimoda, an official at Mifune Town Hall, recalling the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquake that claimed more than 50 lives.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned residents to remain alert over the next two to three days, as strong aftershocks are possible.
Photo Source: CNN