Severe Earthquake Hits Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, Causing Injuries and Damage

Major Earthquake Strikes Japan

A significant earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale hit Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan on Tuesday, resulting in injuries to at least 50 individuals. The quake caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure, prompting a large-scale rescue operation after a shopping mall partially collapsed, trapping several people inside.

ANI

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Officials have indicated that the number of casualties may increase as emergency teams continue their search and rescue operations throughout the affected areas.

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Epicenter Details

Epicentre In Kumamoto Prefecture

As reported by India's National Center for Seismology, the earthquake occurred at 12:57 PM IST, originating from a depth of 70 kilometers in Kumamoto Prefecture, located on Kyushu's southern island. The Japan Meteorological Agency noted that the quake reached the highest intensity level, Shindo 7, in certain areas.

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Incident at Aeon Shopping Mall

Blast Reported At Aeon Shopping Mall In Kashima

One of the most critical incidents occurred at an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima, where an explosion-like sound was reported following the earthquake. A portion of the structure collapsed, trapping several individuals. Emergency responders, including firefighters and police, quickly arrived at the scene, with television coverage showing teams sifting through the rubble. The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.

TGTM_Official

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the full extent of the damage is still being evaluated. She confirmed reports of injuries, fires, power outages, and damage to infrastructure, urging residents to evacuate to safe areas and heed official advisories.

EmergencyStream

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Over 300,000 residents in the impacted regions have been advised to evacuate as a precautionary measure.

Widespread Disruption in Southern Japan

Widespread Damage After Japan Earthquake

The earthquake resulted in significant disruptions across southern Japan. Rail services, including parts of the Shinkansen bullet train network, were halted for safety checks, and operations at Kumamoto Airport were impacted. Major roads and elevated highways sustained cracks, and nearly 48,000 households experienced power outages. Companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Sony, and Fujifilm temporarily evacuated their employees from facilities in the area. A tsunami advisory was briefly issued for coastal regions near the Ariake and Yatsushiro seas but was later rescinded after no significant waves were detected. Authorities confirmed that no irregularities were found at nearby nuclear plants. Officials have cautioned that strong aftershocks may persist for up to a week, urging residents to stay alert.