Thirteen fatalities have been confirmed following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Kyushu Island in south-west Japan, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced. Rescue teams are urgently working to reach survivors trapped in a collapsed shopping mall in Kumamoto city.
The quake hit inland at 16:27 local time on Tuesday, causing significant structural damage including the collapse of the second floor of the mall and a chimney at a nearby factory, where several people remain unaccounted for.
Eyewitness Accounts Reveal Intensity of Quake
Residents described the ground shaking violently. Hiroko Ogata, a 75-year-old restaurant owner in Yatsushiro City, recounted how she took cover under a table as bowls and glasses shattered around her. Despite ongoing aftershocks, she is working to reopen her establishment.
Chantel Mohar, a tourist present during the quake, observed many people evacuating buildings calmly but visibly shaken. She noted concerns over water shortages due to power outages affecting vending machines. Local guides and bus drivers assisted in managing the situation and ensuring safety.
Rescue Efforts and Challenges
- Emergency responders are focused on the shopping mall where multiple individuals remain trapped.
- Aftershocks continue to hamper rescue progress and increase stress among survivors.
- Authorities are coordinating to provide essential supplies, including water, amid disrupted services.
The community is rallying to recover from the disaster as search and rescue operations persist in the affected areas.
