A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday afternoon, causing widespread infrastructure damage, building collapses, and fires. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed 13 deaths as rescue teams race against time to reach people still missing under debris.
The tremor shook the Kumamoto area on Kyushu at approximately 16:27 local time, triggering immediate emergency alerts and evacuations.
Casualties and Rescue Operations at the Aeon Mall and Industrial Sites
Rescue operations concentrated overnight on severely damaged commercial and industrial structures where individuals remained unaccounted for. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addressed reporters in Tokyo, emphasizing the urgency of the ongoing efforts. There are people who are still waiting to be rescued, and it’s a race against time,
apnews.com said, adding that the government would commit all available resources to find survivors.
In Kashima Town, the second floor of the Aeon Mall collapsed following an explosion likely triggered by a gas leak, trapping shoppers and employees inside. Emergency fire rescue teams, police, and Self-Defense Force personnel deployed heavy equipment to clear the rubble. Authorities reported that two women were among the 13 confirmed dead at the shopping center site.
Further industrial damage occurred at the Nippon Paper Industries Co.’s Yatsushiro factory, where part of a tall chimney collapsed onto plant facilities. Disaster management officials confirmed that two people were found with cardiac arrest at the plant, while multiple others remained missing beneath the debris.
Infrastructure Disruption and Evacuation Shelters Across Kyushu
The regional transport network suffered immediate disruptions. The runway at Aso Kumamoto Airport closed following the tremor, and a train derailed and fell on its side near Yatsushiro station, according to apnews.com. Historic structures also sustained damage, including tumbled stone walls at the 17th-century Kumamoto castle, which had previously undergone extensive repairs following the destructive 2016 earthquakes.
Government spokesman Minoru Kihara detailed the scale of civilian displacement during a morning briefing. We have received reports of seven people with serious injuries and 29 with minor injuries.
Furthermore, as of 7:00 am today (2200 GMT Tuesday), 9,186 people have sought refuge in 506 evacuation centers across five prefectures, including Kumamoto and Fukuoka,
en.tempo.co stated.
Aftershock Warnings and Regional Industrial Impact
Seismologists warned residents to remain vigilant as dozens of aftershocks rattled the region. Shinji Kiyomoto with the Japan Meteorological Agency urged the public to exercise caution over the subsequent two to three days, noting that future tremors could reach a maximum seismic intensity of 7.
“To those in areas that experienced strong shaking, the risk of building collapses and landslides remains high. Please avoid entering dangerous areas and take all precautions to ensure your safety. Over the next week or so, please remain alert for the possibility of earthquakes with a maximum seismic intensity of 7.”
Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan
Major manufacturing facilities across Kyushu temporarily suspended operations to evaluate plant safety. The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that no abnormalities were detected at any of the three nuclear power plants operating in the affected region.
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