Magnitude 7.1 earthquake hits Japan's Kyushu, Aeon Mall collapse traps dozens, at least 3 dead

The earthquake

At 16:27 local time on 28 July, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) recorded the tremor at the maximum intensity of 7 on the country's shindo scale, which measures ground-level shaking. The US Geological Survey later estimated the magnitude at 6.8. A tsunami alert was issued immediately but lifted after no waves were observed.

This earthquake occurred inland and no tsunami activity has been observed so far. That is why we hope to lift the tsunami alert relatively early, depending on sea level changes.

Aeon Mall collapse

The most severe damage occurred in Kashima, a suburb of Kumamoto city, where the Aeon Mall partially collapsed after an explosion likely caused by a gas leak. Between 20 and 30 employees remained unaccounted for as of Wednesday morning, and regional authorities listed 10 people as missing. Private broadcaster TBS reported a "considerable number" of deaths inside the complex. By Wednesday, NHK confirmed two women had been killed and another person was in cardio-respiratory arrest.

Casualties and damage across the region

Beyond the mall, at least one person died in a house collapse in Kumamoto prefecture, according to Kyodo news. Several people were missing at a Nippon Paper Industries plant in Yatsushiro, where a chimney top fell. NHK reported 12 houses collapsed near Yatsushiro, and images showed damaged bridges, derailed freight trains, and buildings torn open. Two hospitals each treated at least 50 injured, and 10 people were hurt at a nursing home.

People are arriving with burns and fractures after being trapped under objects during the earthquake and ambulances are continuously bringing in injured.

On the ground

Witnesses described panic as the shaking intensified. Chiharu Hara, 35, who was on a business trip to Kumamoto, told AFP the tremor was prolonged and terrifying.

The shaking was quite strong and lasted a long time. I was terrified. Nothing fell from the ceiling, but the building swayed violently. I was afraid it would collapse. Everyone panicked.

An NHK employee said the shaking was so strong they could not stand.

Rescue and government response

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the full extent of damage was still being assessed but confirmed multiple injuries, power outages affecting 45,000 households in Kumamoto, and fires. She pledged that rescue teams would work through the night.

We are still assessing the extent of injuries and material damage, but I have been informed that there are already several injured. Power outages and fires are occurring in some areas, roads and bridges have been damaged, and buildings have collapsed.

The rescue teams will work without respite through the night, with the priority being the rescue and safety of those affected.

The Japanese military deployed 3,600 personnel and 20 aircraft for search and rescue and damage assessment. Government spokesman Minoru Kihara said the human toll "remains to be determined." Local authorities urged 92,000 residents to evacuate immediately. No anomalies were reported at nuclear plants in the region.

Aftershocks and seismic risk

A magnitude 6.1 aftershock struck at 17:08, and seismologists warned of further strong tremors. Aitaro Kato, a seismologist cited by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, said the epicenter may lie further south on the same fault that caused the deadly 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, which killed 273 people.

Violent aftershocks could follow in the area, we must remain vigilant.