The island of Kyushu was struck by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake near the city of Kumamoto, resulting in at least 13 fatalities. The death toll has risen significantly from the three initially reported, with dozens injured across the region. Rescuers extracted eight people from the rubble of a partially collapsed shopping centre on Wednesday morning, as they continued to search for survivors trapped under the concrete.
The tragedy was further complicated by an explosion at the shopping centre, which occurred approximately an hour after the initial quake. Two women in their twenties died when the blast damaged the building, while around 20 to 30 staff members are listed as missing. Initial reports suggest the cause is unknown, though local media report that authorities are investigating the possibility of a gas leak. The information was confirmed by Japanese public broadcaster NHK.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the current situation is a race against time. She emphasised that the government would deploy all available resources to facilitate rescue operations. Emergency fire rescue teams, police, and the military have focused their efforts on building sections where distress calls have been received.
The impact of the earthquake was also felt in the industrial sector, where seven people were reported missing following the collapse of a chimney. The quake also disrupted the electricity supply to thousands of households, and roads across the region were damaged in several places. Authorities have warned residents in areas affected by the strongest tremors to be prepared for potential strong aftershocks.
