A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 struck Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island, southwestern Japan, on Tuesday, resulting in 28 confirmed deaths as rescue operations continue.
The quake caused significant destruction, including the partial collapse of a shopping centre and a subsequent explosion within the mall. Thousands of residents have been displaced and are currently housed in evacuation centres, facing extreme heat with temperatures expected to reach 39°C.
Ongoing Rescue Efforts and Challenges
- Over 9,000 people are sheltered in evacuation centres, with authorities distributing air conditioners to mitigate heat risks.
- More than 30,000 households remain without power.
- Rescuers are actively searching for survivors amid over 100 aftershocks since the initial tremor.
- Many displaced residents are sleeping in vehicles due to fear of further quakes.
Damage and Casualties
- A section of the Aeon shopping mall in Kashima collapsed, and an explosion—likely caused by gas—occurred shortly after the quake.
- At least five fatalities have been reported at a Nippon Paper factory in Yatsushiro city, where a partial building collapse trapped eleven people; seven have been rescued.
- The Aeon mall had recently reopened after previous earthquake damage in 2016, which had claimed 278 lives in the region.
- A cat cafe inside the mall successfully rescued all 25 cats left behind during the disaster.
Residents like 75-year-old Hiroko Ogata described the quake as the strongest they have experienced in decades, highlighting the severity of the event and the ongoing trauma faced by the community.
