Japan Earthquake Injures 50, Traps ‘Many People’ Inside Shopping Mall

A powerful earthquake struck Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, leaving at least 50 people injured and triggering a major emergency response as rescue crews raced to reach people trapped inside a damaged shopping mall.

The earthquake, initially measured at magnitude 7.1 and later revised to 6.8 by Japanese authorities, hit Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday afternoon. The powerful tremor caused widespread structural damage, knocked out electricity to tens of thousands of homes, and prompted evacuation orders for hundreds of thousands of residents.

One of the most serious incidents occurred at an AEON shopping mall in Kashima Town, where officials said the building’s second floor partially collapsed following an explosion that occurred after the initial quake. Emergency services reported that “many people” were trapped inside, and search-and-rescue teams immediately began combing through the debris for survivors. Authorities have not yet confirmed how many people remain trapped or the full extent of the casualties.

Hospitals across the region treated at least 50 people for injuries ranging from minor cuts to more serious trauma. In addition to the mall collapse, the earthquake damaged homes, roads, bridges, and industrial facilities, while several fires were reported throughout the affected area. Public transportation was also disrupted, with bullet train services suspended and flights delayed or canceled as safety inspections were carried out.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to remain alert as emergency crews continued rescue operations. More than 260,000 people were advised to evacuate due to the risk of powerful aftershocks and possible landslides. Although a tsunami advisory was briefly issued for nearby coastal areas, it was lifted after officials determined the threat had passed.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported dozens of aftershocks in the hours following the main quake and warned that additional strong tremors could occur over the coming days. Authorities are continuing to assess damage across Kumamoto and neighboring prefectures while engineers inspect buildings for structural safety.

As rescue efforts continue, officials say their top priority remains locating those still trapped and providing assistance to communities affected by one of Japan’s strongest earthquakes in recent years. The full human and economic impact of the disaster is expected to become clearer as search operations and damage assessments progress.

Source: Stars and Stripes, Fox News