Local media in Japan have reported that multiple people were killed in an explosion at a shopping centre following a powerful earthquake in the country’s southwest. The reports, which cited police sources, had not been officially confirmed.
The 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the island of Kyushu at 16:27 local time, causing widespread damage, power cuts and fires. A tsunami warning was issued but lifted shortly afterwards.
Explosion at Kumamoto shopping centre
According to public broadcaster NHK, contact was lost with approximately 20 to 30 employees at the Aeon Mall in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture.
The shopping centre’s second floor collapsed following the explosion. One side of the building, which houses around 200 shops, was destroyed, with debris scattered across the car park.
An Aeon representative said customers and employees had been evacuated immediately after the earthquake.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear, although authorities are examining whether it may have been linked to a gas leak.
Missing people and injuries
Several people were also reported missing at a Nippon Paper Industries factory, where a chimney collapsed.
Two hospitals said they had each received at least 50 injured people, while injuries were also reported among passengers travelling on high-speed trains.
Emergency response under way
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said authorities were continuing to assess the extent of the damage.
Electricity supplies were disrupted in some areas, while fires broke out and roads, bridges and buildings were damaged.
The Ministry of Defence mobilised 3,600 members of the armed forces to assist rescue operations. Twenty aircraft were also deployed to survey the affected areas from the air.
Around 45,000 households were left without electricity in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Nuclear plants and factories
The region’s three nuclear reactors continued to operate normally, according to Kyushu Electric Power.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company evacuated its personnel as a precaution, while Sony and Fujifilm facilities were also cleared.
Operations were temporarily suspended at plants belonging to Tokyo Electron and Honda.
Source: CNA
