Death Toll Rises To 18 As Rescuers Comb Through Quake Rubble In Southwestern Japan
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck the Kumamoto area of Kyushu, southwestern Japan, has killed at least 18 people, with soldiers and rescue workers searching collapsed houses and a badly damaged shopping mall for survivors. The disaster has left at least 62 people injured, six seriously, and rescuers are working in sweltering heat amid fears the death toll will continue to rise as it remains unclear how many people are still missing.
The Aeon Mall in Kashima was among the worst-hit sites: roughly 3,000 shoppers were evacuated before a gas explosion collapsed part of the second floor, killing four people and leaving three missing. A chimney collapse at a Nippon Paper Industries factory in Yatsushino killed five more, with four still believed trapped, while a Vietnamese technical intern died after a crane fell on him at another factory, becoming the first confirmed foreign fatality. Around 34,900 homes remain without power and 15,000 without running water, and more than 8,800 people have taken shelter in over 400 evacuation centres, with Japan's Self-Defense Forces and hundreds of emergency personnel involved in the response.
In short
- Kumamoto earthquake death toll climbs to 18, dozens injured
- Aeon Mall gas explosion and collapse kill four, trap others
- Tens of thousands left without power or water in Kyushu
Explained simply
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck the Kumamoto area of Kyushu in southwestern Japan. The tremor has caused widespread destruction and significant loss of life, with dozens killed and many more injured. Rescue operations are ongoing to locate survivors in collapsed buildings and debris across the affected region.
Several major sites have suffered particular damage: a large shopping mall experienced a gas explosion that collapsed part of its structure, killing people and leaving others trapped. Factory facilities in the area have also been severely damaged, with industrial accidents compounding the casualties. Tens of thousands of homes have been left without power and water, leaving basic services severely disrupted.
The earthquake has displaced over 8,000 people, many of whom have sought refuge in emergency evacuation centres. The disaster has triggered a large-scale emergency response involving military forces and hundreds of rescue personnel. Authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage and search for missing persons as rescue efforts continue in the difficult conditions.