Earthquake Strikes Southern Japan, Extensive Damage Reported as Dozens Feared Missing.

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction, disrupting important services, and triggering a massive emergency response, Japan Meteorological Agency said.The earthquake, which struck about 20 kilometres south of Kumamoto City on the southwestern island of Kyushu, knocked out power to thousands of homes, damaged roads and bridges, started fires, and caused several buildings to collapse. Authorities ordered about 300,000 residents to evacuate to emergency shelters as aftershocks continued to shake the region.

One of the worst hit locations was the prefecture’s largest Aeon shopping mall, where an explosion occurred shortly after the earthquake, leaving part of the building partially collapsed. Japan Broadcasting Corporation(NHK) reported that several people were trapped inside, and that between 20 and 30 workers remained unaccounted for. The blast ripped away one side of the mall, exposing steel beams and scattering debris across the parking lot as rescue teams, ambulances, and firefighters rushed to search for survivors. Police spoke to local outlets, saying several people had died or were presumed dead, although officials were still working to confirm the casualties. Aeon said customers and staff had been evacuated immediately after the initial quake, while authorities launched an investigation into a possible gas explosion.

Addressing reporters from Tokyo, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government was still assessing the full extent of the disaster in the region, which was previously devastated by a major earthquake a decade ago. She confirmed that people had been injured and noted that the earthquake had caused power outages, fires, damage to roads and bridges, and the collapse of several buildings. Urging residents to prioritise their safety, The Prime Minister, advised those in affected communities to evacuate to secure locations. In response, hundreds of soldiers were deployed to support ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.

The earthquake also affected other parts of Kumamoto, with multiple people reported missing after a chimney collapsed at a Nippon Paper Industries factory broadcaster NHK reported. Two hospitals were said to be treating more than 50 patients each, including several in serious condition, while operators confirmed that passengers in high speed trains sustained injuries during the quake. Authorities were responding to multiple incidents involving collapsed structures and fires, with one person confirmed dead after a building collapsed in a town near the epicentre TV Asahi reported.Major highways suffered severe cracks that disrupted traffic, while rail services were suspended and flights grounded across parts of the region.

Officials from the Japan Meteorological Agency warned residents to remain vigilant as strong aftershocks could continue for about a week, increasing the risk of further structural damage and landslides. The agency said nearly 100 aftershocks had already been recorded since the initial earthquake. Emergency responders continued search-and-rescue operations across the affected areas as authorities worked to account for the missing, restore important infrastructure, and assess the full extent of the devastation.

Written by Boom RadioNG