Source Aljajeera
KUMAMOTO, Japan — A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu on Tuesday afternoon, causing widespread structural destruction, triggering a massive explosion at a major shopping complex, and leaving dozens trapped or injured.
The tremor occurred at 4:27 p.m. local time at a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers in Kumamoto Prefecture. The tremor registered up to 7—the maximum rating on the Japanese seismic intensity scale—shaking buildings, cracking highways, and prompting immediate emergency alerts across the region.
Explosion and Structural Collapse at Aeon Mall
Shortly after the initial tremor, an explosion rocked the Aeon Mall in the town of Kashima, causing the second floor of the expansive retail facility to collapse. Officials suspect a post-quake gas leak triggered the blast, which blew away part of the exterior facade and exposed structural steel beams.
Emergency workers and firefighters converged on the site, where between 20 and 30 employees and shoppers remained unaccounted for or trapped beneath debris. While hundreds of people were evacuated to the facility’s parking lot following the first shaking, several individuals sustained severe burns and fractures during the subsequent collapse.
Regional Damage and Casualty Toll
Local authorities confirmed at least one fatality after a residential home collapsed in Yatsushiro City. Over 100 individuals across Kumamoto Prefecture have been hospitalized with varying degrees of injury, according to regional fire departments and medical centers.
“We have already been informed that people have been injured, power outages and fires have occurred in multiple areas, and there has been major damage to roads, bridges, and buildings,” Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in an emergency address, urging residents to move to designated safe zones.
The Japanese government deployed around 3,600 Self-Defense Forces personnel to assist local first responders in search and rescue efforts.
Infrastructure Disruption and Economic Impact
The disaster caused immediate regional paralysis:
Utilities & Transport: Over 40,000 households lost electrical power. Operations on the Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train line were suspended, major expressways were closed due to deep bucklings, and local airport runways were shut down for structural inspection.
Industrial Halts: Major tech and automotive firms operating in Kumamoto—a hub for Japan’s semiconductor industry—temporarily halted operations. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Sony evacuated facility workers, while Toyota and Honda suspended factory activity in the surrounding area.
A minor tsunami warning was issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency immediately following the main shock but was lifted within two hours. Meteorologists have warned residents across Kyushu to remain on high alert for strong aftershocks over the coming days.
