Tokyo, July 28: A significant explosion occurred at a large shopping center in Kashima Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, on Tuesday. Many individuals are believed to be trapped, and several have sustained injuries, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency of Japan reported that a section of the second floor of Aeon Mall Kumamoto collapsed, raising concerns about the number of people potentially trapped inside.
Firefighters are currently assessing the situation and conducting rescue operations. Reports from Xinhua indicate that the injured have been transported to hospitals, but details regarding their numbers and conditions remain unclear.
Police and fire officials received multiple emergency calls around 6 PM local time. Callers reported hearing an explosion-like sound from Aeon Mall Kumamoto, accompanied by visible white smoke.
Aerial footage captured by NHK’s helicopter around 6:20 PM showed significant damage to the building. Portions of the outer wall had collapsed, exposing the internal steel framework. A section of the roof was also seen to have fallen, with a large hole visible.
This explosion occurred shortly after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck Kumamoto Prefecture the same day. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, tremors of at least magnitude five were felt in Kashima Town, although the exact intensity has yet to be confirmed.
Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing. The earthquake hit around 4:27 PM local time, with its epicenter located approximately 10 kilometers deep. The maximum intensity recorded in the most affected areas was seven on Japan’s seismic scale.
A tsunami warning of one meter has been issued for the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea in southwestern Japan.
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