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More than 100 aftershocks hit Japan after deadly quake that killed 13
A magnitude 6.8 (initially reported as 7.1) earthquake struck Japan's south-western Kyushu region on Tuesday, killing at least 13 people, with more than 100 aftershocks recorded since. Rescue crews are searching through rubble in Kumamoto prefecture, including at a paper factory and the Aeon Mall in Kashima town, which suffered an explosion shortly after the quake. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the operation as "truly a race against time" to reach those still trapped, as thousands remain in evacuation centres, many without power.
At the Aeon Mall, three people were killed and three more remain missing after part of the second floor collapsed and an explosion tore off sections of the exterior; around 2,700 people had been working there. A separate factory search in Yatsushiro City found two people with no signs of life and nine still unaccounted for. More than 4,600 personnel have been deployed, with authorities distributing around 300 air conditioning units to combat heatstroke risk amid temperatures of about 35C. The shallow quake, centred 10km deep and roughly 20km south of Kumamoto city, damaged roads, bridges and buildings, including a 19th-century shrine, and the Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of possible further strong earthquakes over the coming days.
In short
- Magnitude 6.8 quake in Kyushu, Japan killed 13, over 100 aftershocks since
- Rescuers search Aeon Mall and factory rubble; several still missing
- Officials warn of more strong aftershocks amid heatwave hindering rescue efforts
Explained simply
A major earthquake struck Japan's south-western Kyushu region on Tuesday, causing widespread damage and loss of life across the area. The quake occurred at a relatively shallow depth and has been followed by more than 100 aftershocks, a common pattern that can continue for days or weeks after a significant seismic event.
Japan sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", a seismically active zone where earthquakes are frequent and often powerful. The country has invested heavily in early warning systems and strict building codes designed to withstand major quakes, but the sudden and violent nature of earthquakes means they still cause deaths and injuries despite these precautions.
Thousands of people have been displaced from their homes and are sheltering in evacuation centres, whilst rescue teams search through damaged buildings and rubble for survivors and those unaccounted for. Authorities have warned that further strong earthquakes could strike over the coming days, meaning rescue and recovery efforts will take place against an ongoing threat of additional tremors.