A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday, triggering widespread damage across the region and setting off a dramatic rescue operation at Aeon Mall Kumamoto after part of the shopping complex collapsed following a reported explosion.

The earthquake struck during the afternoon, shaking communities across Kyushu and prompting immediate tsunami advisories, transportation disruptions, and emergency evacuations. Authorities quickly urged residents to move to safer areas while emergency crews assessed the damage.

At Aeon Mall Kumamoto, staff immediately began evacuating shoppers after the earthquake. According to mall officials, customers had been safely guided outside the building before an even more serious incident unfolded.

Roughly an hour after the initial quake, emergency services received multiple reports of a loud explosion at the shopping center. Witnesses described hearing a powerful blast before seeing smoke and dust rising from the building. Shortly afterward, part of the mall’s second floor collapsed.

Firefighters, police officers, and rescue teams rushed to the scene, launching a large-scale search operation amid concerns that several employees may still have been inside when the collapse occurred. Authorities continue working carefully because of ongoing aftershock risks and the unstable condition of the structure.

Officials say multiple people were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, while rescue crews continue searching through damaged sections of the building for anyone who may remain trapped. The exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed.

Investigators are now examining what caused the explosion. While early reports suggest it may have been linked to a gas leak triggered by the earthquake, authorities have not confirmed the cause and say a full technical investigation is underway.

The disaster has revived painful memories of the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, which caused widespread destruction across the region. Aeon Mall Kumamoto had only recently completed an extensive reconstruction project after suffering severe damage a decade earlier.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said emergency response teams had been deployed across the affected areas, with rescue operations focused on locating survivors, restoring critical infrastructure, and assisting displaced residents. Authorities have also confirmed that nearby nuclear facilities reported no abnormalities following the quake.

Across Japan, images of the damaged shopping center have spread rapidly, prompting an outpouring of support for rescue workers and families awaiting news of loved ones. Many have praised the rapid evacuation efforts that allowed customers to leave the building before the later collapse occurred.

As rescue efforts continue through the night, officials have urged the public to remain alert for aftershocks and avoid damaged buildings while emergency crews work to reach anyone who may still be trapped beneath the debris.
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Source: AP News, Reuters, Financial Times