In brief
A strong 7.1‑magnitude earthquake struck south‑west Japan on Kyushu island, crushing the second floor of the Aeon Mall in Kumamoto and trapping many people inside. The quake triggered a brief tsunami warning and left roads cracked and several buildings on fire. Emergency services are currently rescuing those trapped and treating over 50 injured people, including 10 in an elderly care home. Rail traffic has been halted and power cut to thousands of homes as aftershocks are anticipated.
People trapped inside Japan shopping centre after a 7.1‑magnitude quake
\ \A 7.1‑magnitude earthquake hit inland Kyushu island at 16:27 local time, collapsing the second floor of the Aeon Mall in Kumamoto and trapping dozens of shoppers inside the building.
\Fire and rescue services say “many people” were trapped inside the mall following the collapse. The local fire department reported that the second floor collapsed in Kashima, leaving occupants trapped beneath the rubble.
\More than 150,000 residents were advised to evacuate to shelters, and a brief tsunami warning was issued and later lifted within an hour.
\The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of strong aftershocks due to the shallow epicentre, approximately 10km from the epicentre.
\Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the authorities were still assessing injuries and property damage, reporting that at least 50 hospital patients and roughly 10 elderly care home residents required treatment.
\Train services have been suspended and power supplies cut for thousands of homes in the affected region.
\Japan, one of the world’s most seismically active nations, typically experiences around 1,500 quakes a year.
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