Japan earthquake leaves dozens injured and missing after 7.1 magnitude q…

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s southern Kyushu island on Tuesday, triggering widespread destruction, injuries, and a race to locate dozens of missing individuals after parts of a shopping mall and a paper factory collapsed, officials said. The tremor, centered about 540 miles southwest of Tokyo, left a trail of damage across Kumamoto prefecture, including the partial destruction of the Aeon Mall in Kashima Town, where an explosion reportedly triggered by a gas leak caused the second floor to collapse.

Emergency responders reported that four people were rescued from the Aeon Mall with injuries, while 10 others remained unaccounted for, according to the Kumamoto prefectural emergency response team. At the Nippon Paper Industries Co. Yatsushiro factory, 11 individuals were trapped beneath debris after a chimney collapsed, with two found dead and nine still missing. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency advised more than 260,000 people to evacuate, primarily in Kumamoto and neighboring Nagasaki prefectures, as search efforts continued into the night.

The quake also disrupted critical infrastructure, with Shinkansen bullet trains and local rail lines suspended for safety checks. Aso Kumamoto Airport closed its runway indefinitely, and a freight train derailed at Yatsushiro station. Roads, bridges, and buildings sustained damage, including the historic Kumamoto Castle, which saw stone walls damaged. Power outages affected approximately 40,000 households, while gas supplies were cut off in 9,500 homes.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi acknowledged reports of road and building damage, blackouts, and fires, though details remained unclear. She ordered the deployment of 3,600 Self-Defense Force personnel for rescue operations, emphasizing the priority of saving lives. “The governor of Kumamoto has requested the SDF be sent, so 3,600 SDF members will be dispatched for disaster relief work,” Takaichi said, adding that the government would “make all-out efforts” to minimize harm.

Residents described the quake’s intensity, with Hiroki Shimoda, an official in Mifune town hall, recalling the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake that killed over 50 people. “The shaking reminded me of the Kumamoto quake (10 years ago) and I was frightened,” he said, noting roof tiles from nearby homes had crashed to the ground. Shinji Kiyomoto of the Japan Meteorological Agency urged caution, warning of potential aftershocks over the next two to three days.

At the Aeon Mall, the collapse followed an explosion, according to NHK, which cited local fire department reports. A gas leak was suspected as the cause, though officials had not confirmed the link. The mall’s second floor, which housed shops and offices, was reported to have trapped an unknown number of people. Kyodo News cited local police estimating 20 to 30 employees missing, while other accounts suggested up to 30 individuals unaccounted for.

Medical facilities in Kumamoto and Yatsushiro cities reported a surge in casualties. A hospital in Yatsushiro treated 40 injured, while another in Kumamoto received 50. Saiseikai Kumamoto Hospital, with 400 beds, operated at full capacity, with staff handling fractures and other injuries from falling furniture. Meanwhile, the Nippon Paper factory’s damaged site saw nine people trapped, with rescue teams working to locate them.

The Japan Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed no abnormalities at three nearby nuclear power plants, and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency stated no major public infrastructure was damaged. However, the quake disrupted operations at Toyota, Honda, and Nippon Paper, with factories and transport services temporarily halted. Yamato Transport also suspended deliveries in and out of Kumamoto.

International attention focused on the disaster, with U.N. Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq expressing solidarity. “The national authorities are leading the response, but we stand ready to support if needed,” he said. The Japan Meteorological Agency lifted a tsunami advisory within two hours, though coastal areas remained on alert for potential waves.

As rescue efforts persisted, the scale of the tragedy remained unclear. With over 100 emergency calls logged in Kumamoto alone, officials warned of the challenges ahead. “This is a very crucial moment, and human lives come first,” Takaichi said, underscoring the urgency of the response. The region’s history of seismic activity, including the 2016 quake, added to the gravity of the situation, as residents grappled with the uncertainty of the aftermath.