Deadly Mall Blast Follows Powerful Earthquake in Japan as Gas Leak Probe Intensifies

A devastating explosion that tore through one of southern Japan’s largest shopping malls shortly after a powerful earthquake has left rescuers racing to locate survivors as investigators focus on a possible gas leak as the likely cause of the disaster.

The tragedy unfolded on Tuesday in Kumamoto Prefecture after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the region, violently shaking buildings, damaging infrastructure and forcing thousands of shoppers and employees to evacuate the recently reopened Aeon Mall. Although the evacuation appeared successful, disaster struck less than an hour later when a massive explosion ripped through the building, sending debris flying across the parking area and exposing the mall’s steel framework.


Emergency crews worked overnight to search the unstable structure, recovering eight people from the wreckage by Wednesday morning. Authorities confirmed that three of those rescued had died, while three mall employees remain missing. Rescue teams continue to search collapsed sections of the complex despite the risk posed by ongoing aftershocks.


Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the rescue mission as a “race against time,” stressing that every effort is being made to locate those still trapped. Around 170 military personnel have joined firefighters, police officers and specialist rescue teams at the disaster site to support search and recovery operations.


Witnesses recalled terrifying scenes as the earthquake first shook the shopping center. Employees reported being knocked to the floor while clouds of dust filled stores, prompting staff to quickly guide customers toward emergency exits. According to mall operator Aeon, approximately 3,000 visitors were evacuated within 30 minutes after the earthquake struck.


Aeon President Akio Yoshida said initial checks suggested all customers had safely left the building. However, investigators later discovered that several employees had either remained inside or returned after the evacuation. One injured survivor was eventually found inside a restroom after the explosion.

Residents and business owners near the shopping center described hearing an enormous blast moments after the earthquake. Thick smoke quickly rose above the building as debris scattered across nearby roads, leaving many believing a bomb had exploded. Emergency sirens echoed through the area while traffic came to a standstill as rescue teams rushed to the scene.


For several hours after the blast, emergency responders delayed entering the damaged structure because repeated aftershocks raised fears of additional collapses. More than 100 aftershocks were recorded in Kumamoto following the main earthquake, creating hazardous conditions for rescue operations.


Video captured inside the mall revealed extensive destruction, with collapsed ceilings, shattered storefronts and debris covering the floors. Rescue teams carefully navigated unstable sections while searching for survivors.

Investigators are concentrating on the mall’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) system after several rescuers reported smelling gas inside the building. Government officials also warned the public to stay away from the area due to the possibility of additional gas leaks.

Aeon confirmed that the shopping complex uses LPG supplied from an outdoor storage tank rather than a conventional piped gas network. Company officials said the system underwent a full safety inspection only last month, shortly before the mall reopened following years of reconstruction.

The shopping center had been extensively rebuilt after suffering major damage during the deadly 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. During its reopening, Aeon highlighted improved earthquake-resistant construction, reinforced ceilings and upgraded safety features designed to better protect the building during future seismic events.


Despite those improvements, company officials acknowledged they had never anticipated an explosion occurring after an earthquake. Yoshida said evidence strongly suggests gas played a role in the incident, though investigators are still working to determine precisely how the explosion occurred and whether any safety systems failed.


Industry experts note that both piped gas and LPG systems are equipped with automatic safety mechanisms designed to shut off fuel supplies during major earthquakes or abnormal pressure changes. Authorities are now examining whether structural damage, equipment failure or another factor prevented those protections from functioning properly.

Amid the continuing investigation, rescue efforts remain focused on locating the remaining missing workers. Officials say operations will continue until every possible area has been searched, while investigators work to establish the exact cause of one of Japan’s most tragic earthquake-related disasters in recent years.