A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday, causing widespread damage and prompting a major emergency response after part of a shopping mall collapsed, leaving dozens of people missing or injured.
The earthquake hit the Kyushu region, approximately 900 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Although authorities initially issued a tsunami advisory for the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas along the western coast of Kumamoto Prefecture and three neighboring prefectures, the Japan Meteorological Agency lifted the warning less than two hours later.
One of the most serious incidents occurred at the Aeon Mall in Kashima Town, where the second floor of the shopping center collapsed. According to Kyodo News, citing local police, between 20 and 30 employees remain unaccounted for, while several people were rescued from the debris and transported to nearby hospitals.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had received reports of damage to roads, bridges and buildings, along with power outages and fires, although officials were still assessing the full extent of the destruction.
Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported no significant damage to major public facilities or critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that inspections found no abnormalities at three nearby nuclear power plants.
Hospitals across the region have been treating a growing number of victims. According to Kyodo, approximately 40 injured people were admitted to a hospital in Yatsushiro City, while another 50 were transported to a medical facility in Kumamoto City.
Transportation across Kyushu was heavily disrupted following the earthquake. Shinkansen bullet train services and local rail operations were suspended while safety inspections were carried out. Aso Kumamoto Airport also closed its runway, with airport officials stating there was no immediate timeline for reopening.
The Ministry of Defense dispatched aircraft to survey the affected areas and support damage assessment efforts.
Additional reports indicated that a train derailed and overturned at Yatsushiro Station, while stone walls at the historic Kumamoto Castle sustained damage during the quake.
Residents compared the shaking to the devastating Kumamoto earthquake that struck the region in 2016, which claimed more than 50 lives.
“The shaking reminded me of the Kumamoto quake 10 years ago, and I was frightened,” said Hiroki Shimoda, an official at Mifune Town Hall, who witnessed roof tiles falling from nearby homes.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned residents to remain alert over the next two to three days, as strong aftershocks remain possible while emergency crews continue search and rescue operations across the affected areas.
