There are numerous victims in the collapse of a shopping center in southwestern Japan, caused by the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that hit Kumamoto prefecture, on the island of Kyushu. The television reported it Tbs.
According to the broadcaster, a “considerable” number of people lost their lives due to the collapse of the second floor of a shopping center in Kashima.
Kumamoto Police on the Aeon Mall explosion: “There appear to be a considerable number of fatalities. It will likely take time to confirm the exact death toll.” pic.twitter.com/fxCAB3fIA0 https://t.co/Y0rPsgLvX6
— Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@mrjeffu) July 28, 2026
Reports of an explosion
After the earthquake, police said they received reports of an “explosion” that had occurred inside the Aeon Mall shopping centre. “Many people” were trapped, the broadcaster reports Nhk.
Tsunami warning lifted
The Japan Meteorological Agency lifted the tsunami warning less than two hours after the quake. The earthquake, located on the island of Kyushu, caused several injuries, building collapses and fires, as stated by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Ten years after the double earthquake of 2016
Kumamoto Prefecture had already been devastated by a double earthquake with magnitudes 6.5 and 7.3 ten years ago. Rescue operations are underway while the population remains on alert for possible aftershocks.
Evacuation order for 300,000 people in Japan
Around 300,000 people have been ordered to go to evacuation centres, the Emergency Management Agency said. The Guardian reports it. The earthquake’s epicenter was about 20 kilometers south of Kumamoto, the largest city on central Kyushu island, with a population of about 700,000. Residents of areas that felt the strongest tremors should be alert to possible further strong earthquakes for about a week, as well as the risk of landslides, an official from the Japan Meteorological Agency said.