Rescue teams are searching for survivors after a powerful earthquake caused the partial collapse of a shopping mall in southwestern Japan, leaving many people trapped beneath the rubble.
The strong earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan’s Kyushu island on Tuesday afternoon, triggering widespread damage to buildings, roads and infrastructure. Authorities said emergency crews were working through the debris of the collapsed shopping centre while firefighters and medical teams searched for survivors.
Japanese officials said dozens of people were injured across the affected region, while the exact number of those trapped inside the shopping mall has not yet been confirmed. Rescue operations are continuing, with specialist urban search-and-rescue teams deployed to the site.
The earthquake also damaged sections of highways, disrupted rail services and forced the temporary closure of Kumamoto International Airport. Initial tsunami advisories issued after the quake were later lifted by Japan’s meteorological authorities.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had mobilised emergency response agencies to assist affected communities and assess the full extent of the damage. Officials urged residents to remain alert for aftershocks, warning that further strong tremors could occur in the coming days.
Japan, one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, maintains strict building standards and emergency preparedness systems, but powerful earthquakes continue to pose significant risks to densely populated areas.
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