\A 7.1‑magnitude earthquake shook south‑west Japan on Tuesday at 16:27 local time. The quake’s strength caused the second floor of the Aeon Mall in Kumamoto to collapse, trapping dozens of shoppers inside.
\Rescue teams are working through the site, pulling out stranded occupants and checking structural damage. The earthquake struck Kyushu’s inland region, prompting the evacuation of more than 150,000 people to shelters and a brief tsunami warning that was lifted within the hour.
\Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake‑prone nations, with roughly 1,500 quakes recorded last year. The shallow epicenter, only about 10 km beneath the surface, has raised concerns of strong aftershocks that could worsen damage.
\Officials report that at least 50 injured people, including ten in an elderly care home, are being treated in hospitals. Electricity has been cut for thousands of homes and train services have been suspended.
\Despite the brief tsunami alert, no waves were seen rising. The community is preparing for further aftershocks while rescue workers continue to assess the mall’s safety and search for survivors.
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