A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan on Tuesday afternoon, leaving at least 50 people injured. Some are trapped and feared dead inside a shopping mall.
The earthquake hit the Kumamoto prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu, knocking out power to thousands of homes and damaging roads, bridges, and buildings.
Japan’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, told reporters that authorities are still assessing the extent of the damage in the area, which was devastated by another deadly earthquake a decade ago.
“We have already been told that people are injured. Power outages and fires have occurred in some areas, and there has also been damage to roads and bridges, as well as building collapses,” Takaichi said. “I ask everyone to take action to protect themselves, including evacuating to a safe place.”
About 300,000 people have been told to go to evacuation centers, according to the disaster management agency. The Japan Meteorological Agency said areas hit by the strongest tremors will remain at risk of more strong quakes and landslides for about a week, because the shallow earthquake is triggering active seismic activity in the area.
So far, there have been more than 60 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 1 to 4, the agency said. A tsunami warning was issued right after the quake but was lifted within two hours.
Kyodo News reported that one person was killed in southwestern Japan when a house collapsed during the earthquake.
One hospital reported more than 50 injuries, and another reported about 40, including 10 in serious condition, according to public broadcaster NHK. Several people on a high-speed train at the time of the quake were also injured, and multiple people are unaccounted for after a chimney collapsed at a Nippon Paper Industries factory, local media reported.
An explosion occurred in an Aeon shopping mall shortly after the earthquake, trapping “many people,” fire services said. Broadcaster TBS reported that police said “quite a few” are presumed dead. About 20 to 30 workers at the mall are unaccounted for, NHK said.
An Aeon spokesperson said customers and employees were evacuated after the initial quake, and the cause of the explosion is still unclear. Footage showed one side of the mall—the largest in the prefecture, with about 200 stores—torn away, exposing steel beams and scattering debris across the nearby parking lot. Several ambulances and fire engines were parked outside as rescue teams searched for survivors.
Kazuya Tsurunaga told TBS he heard the explosion while cleaning up dishes broken by the earthquake inside a pub about 300 meters from the Aeon mall.
“It was a huge impact,” he said. “A large cloud of smoke billowed up, and because the wind happened to be blowing toward the shop, the area around us looked like volcanic ash was falling.”
NHK footage showed several other buildings on fire or partially collapsed, along with large cracks appearing on major roads, including an elevated highway. TSMC, the world’s largest contract chip maker, Sony, and Fujifilm evacuated workers from their factories in the area.
The quake’s epicenter was about 12 miles (20 km) south of Kumamoto, the largest city on central Kyushu island, with a population of about 700,000. The US Geological Survey initially said the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1 but later revised it to 6.8.
Japan, which lies along the “Ring of Fire”—a region of volcanoes and oceanic trenches in the Pacific basin—is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, with a tremor occurring at least every five minutes. The country accounts for about 20% of all earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher worldwide.
A massive earthquake in Kumamoto 10 years ago killed 275 people and injured 2,739 others. It damaged thousands of buildings, including the city’s castle, a popular tourist attraction. Some of the castle’s stone walls are believed to have been damaged in the most recent quake.
Kumamoto castle’s stone walls appear to have been damaged by the earthquake. Photograph: Kyodo/Reuters
Kyushu Electric Power reported that 48,000 homes had lost power, while the railway company JR Kyushususpended services, including its high-speed bullet trains. Kumamoto airport also closed its runway as airlines diverted and canceled flights.
Telecom operators KDDI and NTT Docomo said there were disruptions to their mobile phone services due to power shortages and transmission-line failures. Japan’s nuclear regulation authority stated that no irregularities were reported at the nuclear power stations in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the given scenario written in a natural tone with clear and concise answers
General Questions
1 What happened in Japan today
A strong earthquake struck Japan injuring at least 50 people and trapping many others inside a shopping mall
2 Where exactly did the earthquake hit
The specific location isnt detailed in the report but it occurred in a region of Japan where a shopping mall was severely damaged
3 How strong was the earthquake
While the exact magnitude isnt mentioned it was strong enough to cause significant structural damage and widespread injuries
Questions About the Victims Rescue
4 How many people are trapped in the mall
The exact number is unknown but reports say many people are trapped inside likely due to collapsed sections or blocked exits
5 Are rescue teams already there
Yes emergency services are responding Rescue teams are working to locate and free those trapped inside the mall
6 What kind of injuries did the 50 people suffer
Injuries range from cuts and bruises to broken bones and possible crush injuries from falling debris
7 Is the mall completely collapsed
Not completely It appears parts of the mall have collapsed or are structurally unstable which is why people are trapped in specific areas
Practical Safety Questions
8 I have family in Japan How can I check if theyre safe
Try calling or messaging them If lines are busy use social media or register with your countrys embassy for updates Local Japanese authorities also post official updates
9 Should I avoid traveling to Japan right now
If you have upcoming travel check with your airline and the Japanese governments travel advisories Its wise to avoid the affected region until rescue and recovery are complete
10 What should people do if theyre trapped in a building during an earthquake
Stay calm Cover your mouth and nose to avoid dust Tap on a wall or pipe to signal rescuers Only shout as a last resort to conserve energy and avoid inhaling dust
Advanced Technical Questions
11 Why do earthquakes in Japan often cause mall collapses
Many older malls arent built to modern seismic codes Also malls have large open spaces and heavy ceilings which are
