A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southern main island of Kyushu on Tuesday, causing the collapse of part of a shopping center and leaving dozens of people missing or injured. A tsunami advisory was issued but lifted within hours.
The second floor of the Aeon Mall shopping center in Kashima Town collapsed, trapping an unknown number of people. Local police reported around 20 to 30 employees were missing, while several others were rescued and hospitalized, according to Kyodo News agency.
The epicenter was approximately 900 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. The tsunami advisory for the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas affecting Kumamoto prefecture and three neighboring prefectures was lifted within two hours by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reported damage to roads, bridges and buildings, along with blackouts and fires, though specific details remained unclear. Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said no damage was reported to major public facilities or infrastructure. The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed no abnormalities at three nearby nuclear power plants.
About 40 people with injuries were admitted to a hospital in Yatsushiro city, while approximately 50 others were taken to a hospital in Kumamoto city.
Shinkansen bullet trains and local trains throughout Kyushu were suspended for safety checks. The runway at Aso Kumamoto Airport was closed with "no prospect of resuming operations," According to the airport's website. A train derailed and overturned at Yatsushiro station, and stone walls sustained damage at Kumamoto castle.
Hiroki Shimoda, an official at Mifune town hall, said "The shaking reminded me of the Kumamoto quake (10 years ago) and I was frightened," After witnessing roof tiles from nearby homes crash to the ground.
Shinji Kiyomoto of the Japan Meteorological Agency advised residents to remain cautious over the following two to three days. The Japanese Defense Ministry deployed aircraft to assess the damage.