A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, causing significant structural damage and trapping an unspecified number of people inside a shopping complex. Emergency services reported that the second floor of a mall in Kashima town collapsed during the tremor. There are also reports of an explosion occurring at the Aeon Mall in Kumamoto following the seismic event.
The earthquake has caused widespread infrastructure disruption across the region. Kyushu Electric Power confirmed that 48,000 homes have lost electricity, and railway operator JR Kyushu has suspended all services, including high-speed lines, as a safety precaution. Authorities and emergency responders are currently on the scene to address the situation and assist those trapped in the damaged shopping center.
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