Deadly 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Japan, Mall Explosion Leaves Several Feared Dead

A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan's southern Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday, leaving several people feared dead, injuring dozens and causing widespread damage across the region, while authorities warned residents to prepare for potentially strong aftershocks.

The earthquake, which struck at a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometres near the city of Uki, knocked out electricity to tens of thousands of homes, damaged roads and bridges, disrupted transportation networks and triggered a deadly explosion at a shopping mall.


The most serious incident occurred at an Aeon Mall in Kumamoto, where a powerful blast followed the earthquake. Police said several people are believed to have been killed, while others remain trapped inside the damaged building as emergency rescue teams continue search operations.

Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion moments after the earthquake. Kazuya Tsurunaga, who was working at a nearby restaurant, said a massive cloud of smoke rose from the shopping centre before ash-like debris spread across the surrounding area.

An Aeon Mall spokesperson said customers and employees had been evacuated immediately after the earthquake and that the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that more than 50 people were treated for injuries at one hospital alone, while additional injuries were reported after a high-speed Shinkansen train derailed during the quake. Emergency officials expect the number of casualties to rise as rescue operations continue.


Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had received reports of injuries, fires, power outages and significant infrastructure damage, including collapsed buildings and damaged roads.


She urged residents to evacuate to safe locations where necessary and warned people in affected areas to remain alert for another earthquake of similar magnitude. Approximately 300,000 residents have been instructed to move to evacuation centres, while around 3,600 members of Japan's Self-Defense Forces have been deployed to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.

Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning following the earthquake but later lifted it after assessments showed no significant tsunami threat.


Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that inspections at three nearby nuclear power plants found no abnormalities or safety concerns following the quake.


Transportation across Kyushu was heavily affected. Shinkansen bullet train services and local railway operations were suspended for safety inspections, while Aso Kumamoto Airport temporarily closed its runway with no immediate timetable for resuming operations.

Power supplier Kyushu Electric Power reported that nearly 40,000 households lost electricity after the earthquake, with restoration efforts already underway.

Several major manufacturers operating in the region, including Sony and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), temporarily evacuated employees from their facilities as precautionary inspections were carried out. There were no immediate reports of major industrial damage.

Japan remains one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries due to its location along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where several tectonic plates meet. The country experiences frequent seismic activity and maintains some of the world's strictest earthquake preparedness measures.

The latest disaster has revived memories of the devastating Kumamoto earthquakes a decade ago, which claimed 275 lives and injured thousands. Officials also confirmed that parts of the historic Kumamoto Castle suffered fresh damage during Tuesday's tremor, with sections of its stone walls collapsing despite ongoing restoration work.

Emergency crews continue rescue operations as authorities assess the full extent of the destruction and monitor the region for further aftershocks.