7.1-Magnitude Quake Strikes Southern Japan, Leaving Workers Missing After Mall Explosion
A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s southern Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, resulting in widespread power outages, damaged infrastructure, and casualties. The quake has left many residents trapped and some presumed dead following an explosion at a partially collapsed shopping mall.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addressed the media from Tokyo, stating that authorities are still evaluating the full extent of the damage in the region, which had previously suffered a devastating earthquake a decade ago. She confirmed that injuries have been reported, along with power outages and fires in various areas. Takaichi urged residents to take precautions, including evacuating to safer locations.
Approximately 300,000 individuals have been advised to seek refuge in evacuation centers. Hundreds of soldiers have been deployed to assist with ongoing rescue operations, as aftershocks continue to rattle the southwestern island of Kyushu.
Mall Explosion and Casualties
Reports indicate that 20 to 30 workers at the largest shopping mall in the prefecture remain unaccounted for after the explosion that followed the earthquake. Fire services confirmed that multiple individuals were trapped inside the structure. Local police have indicated that several people are presumed dead, although these reports have not been independently verified.
Footage from the scene shows one side of the mall, which houses around 200 stores, severely damaged, exposing steel beams and scattering debris across a large parking lot. Emergency services, including ambulances and fire engines, are actively searching for survivors.
A representative from the mall operator, Aeon, stated that customers and employees were evacuated immediately after the initial tremor. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, with authorities considering the possibility of a gas leak.
Witness Kazuya Tsurunaga, who was inside a pub approximately 300 meters from the mall, described the explosion as a significant impact that sent a large cloud of smoke into the air. He noted that the wind direction caused debris to fall around the area, resembling volcanic ash.
Damage and Emergency Response
In addition to the mall incident, multiple people are unaccounted for following the collapse of a chimney at a Nippon Paper Industries factory. Two hospitals in the region are treating over 50 individuals, some in critical condition. Several passengers aboard high-speed trains during the quake also sustained injuries.
Authorities are responding to numerous reports of buildings that have partially collapsed or caught fire. One fatality has been confirmed in a town near the earthquake’s epicenter. Major highways have sustained significant damage, with large cracks disrupting traffic flow. Rail services have been suspended, and flights have been grounded.
Major corporations, including TSMC, Sony, and Fujifilm, evacuated personnel from their facilities following the quake. TSMC reported that its site remained unaffected and operations are gradually resuming. Conversely, Tokyo Electron announced the suspension of operations at its two Kumamoto factories, while Honda temporarily idled its motorcycle production facility.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 20 kilometers south of Kumamoto city, the largest city in central Kyushu, which has a population of around 700,000. Residents in the most affected areas have been warned to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks and landslides for the next week, with about 100 aftershocks recorded since the initial quake.
Tsunami Warning and Infrastructure Impact
Japan, situated along the “Ring of Fire,” experiences about 20 percent of the world’s earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.0 or greater. A tsunami warning was issued immediately following the quake but was later lifted.
Kyushu Electric Power reported that approximately 48,000 homes lost electricity due to the earthquake. The railway company JR Kyushu has suspended services, including its high-speed bullet trains, while Kumamoto airport has closed its runway, resulting in diverted and canceled flights. Telecom operators KDDI and Docomo have also reported disruptions in mobile phone services due to power shortages and transmission-line failures.
The nuclear regulatory authority confirmed that there were no irregularities at nearby nuclear power stations.
A significant earthquake in Kumamoto ten years ago resulted in 275 fatalities and over 2,700 injuries, damaging thousands of structures, including the city’s historic castle. Portions of the castle’s stone walls collapsed during Tuesday’s quake.
As night fell, thousands of homes remained without power, prompting authorities to warn residents about the risk of heatstroke, with temperatures expected to reach 34 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
For further information, refer to the source: www.arnnewscentre.ae.
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Published on 2026-07-28 12:51:00 • By the Editorial Desk
