Overview
- A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kyushu on Tuesday, producing the highest shaking levels reported in parts of Kumamoto and causing widespread building and road damage.
- A section of the Aeon Mall in Kashima partly collapsed and erupted in a large blast about an hour after the quake, leaving people trapped and forcing emergency crews to carry out risky, slow searches.
- Officials have confirmed multiple deaths and injuries, with the official toll rising to at least 13 and later reports by AFP on Thursday saying up to 23 people are feared dead as rescue teams recover more victims.
- Transport, power and water services were widely disrupted across the region, factories and major plants paused operations for checks, and tens to hundreds of thousands of residents were advised or moved to evacuation centers.
- The government has deployed thousands of Self-Defense Force personnel and emergency crews while investigators probe whether a gas leak caused the mall blast and the Japan Meteorological Agency warns of strong aftershocks and landslide risk.