Strong Earthquake Hits Southern Japan
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan on Tuesday, killing at least two people and injuring more than 100 others. Several people were also feared trapped inside a damaged shopping mall in Kumamoto prefecture.
The earthquake hit Kyushu island in the late afternoon, causing widespread damage to buildings, roads and bridges. Thousands of homes lost power following the tremor.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that areas affected by the strongest shaking could face additional earthquakes and landslides for around a week due to ongoing seismic activity.
Deaths and Injuries Reported at Shopping Mall
Emergency crews worked overnight at Aeon Mall Kumamoto, one of the largest shopping centres in the prefecture, after the building suffered major damage.
Authorities said eight people were rescued from the site. Two women in their 20s were confirmed dead, while another person was reported to be in cardiopulmonary arrest. Five others suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Firefighters reported that an explosion occurred shortly after the earthquake, with officials confirming that a gas leak had been reported, although the cause remained under investigation.
Video footage showed part of the shopping mall’s structure torn open, exposing steel beams and scattering debris into the surrounding parking area as rescue teams searched for survivors.
Emergency Response and Evacuations
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said authorities were still assessing the full extent of the damage and urged residents to move to safe locations.
“We have already been informed that people have been injured. Power outages and fires have occurred in some areas, and there has also been damage to roads and bridges and the collapse of buildings,” Takaichi said.
Around 300,000 people were advised to move to evacuation centres, according to Japan’s disaster management agency.
The JMA reported more than 60 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 1 to 4. A tsunami warning issued immediately after the earthquake was lifted within two hours.
Damage Across Kumamoto Region
Several hospitals reported dozens of injuries, including patients suffering burns and fractures after being trapped under objects caused by the earthquake.
Other incidents included injuries involving passengers on a high-speed train and reports of damage at a Nippon Paper Industries factory after a chimney collapsed.
Footage from Japanese broadcasters showed fires, partially collapsed buildings and large cracks on major roads, including an elevated highway.
Major companies operating in the region, including TSMC, Sony and Fujifilm, evacuated workers from their facilities as a precaution.
Power and Transport Disruptions
Kyushu Electric Power reported that around 48,000 homes lost electricity following the earthquake.
Rail operator JR Kyushu suspended services, including high-speed train operations, while Kumamoto airport temporarily closed its runway as airlines cancelled or diverted flights.
Telecommunications providers KDDI and NTT Docomo also reported disruptions caused by power shortages and damage to transmission infrastructure.
Japan’s nuclear regulator said no problems were reported at nearby nuclear facilities.
Japan Deploys Disaster Relief Forces
The Japanese military deployed approximately 3,600 personnel for emergency relief operations and sent aircraft to assess the damage from above.
The earthquake has revived memories of the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, which killed 275 people and injured thousands more.
Japan remains one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” The country experiences frequent seismic activity and accounts for a significant share of the world’s stronger earthquakes.
