A 7.1-magnitude earthquake that rocked Japan's southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday has left at least 13 people dead and thousands without power, with a significant explosion at a shopping mall complicating rescue efforts. The tremor caused roads to rupture and buildings to collapse, and residents have been warned to brace for further aftershocks.
The blast at the Aeon shopping mall occurred about an hour after the initial earthquake. Dashcam footage showed the second floor of the mall collapsing before an explosion sent a massive cloud of dust and smoke into the street. Authorities are investigating the cause, with a possible gas explosion being considered. Eight people were pulled from the rubble of the mall, three of whom died. Four mall workers remained unaccounted for, while customers had been evacuated immediately after the first tremor.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that resources were being marshaled to save and rescue as many people as possible. Emergency fire rescue teams, police, and approximately 170 army personnel were focused on areas where calls for help had been received. More than 4,500 soldiers have been deployed across the quake zone to assist with recovery.
Widespread Damage and Ongoing Rescue
Beyond the mall, seven people are missing after a chimney collapse at a Nippon Paper Industries plant, and four others sustained serious injuries. Hospitals reported treating dozens of patients, with some facing operational challenges due to power outages. In Uki city, one hospital described its situation as a "field hospital" due to a lack of power, while another suspended admissions after treating 86 injured individuals, three with critical injuries.
In Yatsushiro city, one of the hardest-hit areas, numerous homes sustained roof damage, and several buildings had collapsed. Roads leading to the coastal town showed cracks and buckling, and many businesses remained closed. A section of a bridge had fallen into the Kumagawa River, attracting curious onlookers.
Authorities have cautioned residents in the most affected areas to remain alert for strong aftershocks for approximately a week, as well as the risk of landslides. As of Wednesday morning, around 170 aftershocks had been recorded. With over 36,000 homes still without power amid soaring temperatures reaching 34 degrees Celsius, concerns about heatstroke have also been raised.
High-speed train services were suspended after several passengers were injured when the earthquake struck. The Aeon mall, the largest in the prefecture, saw one side torn away, exposing steel beams and debris scattered across a parking lot. Historically, Japan, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences about 20 percent of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or greater. A decade ago, a massive earthquake in Kumamoto killed 275 people and injured thousands more, damaging numerous buildings, including the city's castle and other historic structures.