A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Japan on Tuesday, leaving multiple people feared trapped inside a shopping mall, injuring dozens and causing widespread damage across the region.
According to local fire authorities, part of the second floor of a shopping complex in Kashima collapsed following the quake, with several people believed to be trapped inside.
Police also reported receiving calls about an explosion at an Aeon Mall in Kumamoto Prefecture, although details of the incident have yet to be confirmed.
The earthquake struck at 4.27pm local time, with strong tremors lasting for about 30 seconds. The quake caused buildings to collapse, triggered fires and left around 50 people injured, according to local authorities.
Footage broadcast by NHK showed damaged bridges, a derailed freight train and cracked roads across Kyushu Island, highlighting the scale of the destruction.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said authorities were still assessing the full extent of the damage and casualties, adding that more than 12 homes had already been confirmed destroyed.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) lifted its tsunami advisory about two hours after the earthquake, saying no tsunami waves had been detected as the quake’s epicentre was inland.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority also confirmed that no abnormalities had been detected at the country’s nuclear power plants.
Meanwhile, utility provider Kyushu Electric Power said about 45,000 homes and businesses in Kumamoto were left without electricity following the quake. The company added that all three nuclear reactors in the prefecture continued operating normally.
Kumamoto was previously hit by two major earthquakes measuring 6.5 and 7.3 magnitude in 2016, which claimed 273 lives and injured more than 2,800 people.
