Japan quake kills at least 5; more trapped in collapsed mall, factory

A powerful earthquake struck southwestern Japan on Tuesday, killing at least five people, trapping dozens in a collapsed shopping mall and a paper mill, and injuring scores more, authorities said. The magnitude 7.1 quake hit Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu island at 4:27 p.m. local time, triggering destructive shaking at the highest level on Japan’s intensity scale.

Mall collapse and paper mill disaster

The deadliest incident occurred at an Aeon Mall in Kashima city, where the second floor collapsed and an explosion, likely from a gas leak, followed. Public broadcaster NHK reported that two women in their 20s were confirmed dead in the mall, and a third person was found without vital signs. Police told TBS, CBS News’ Japanese partner, that there were 'a lot of deaths' but it would take time to confirm the exact number. Separately, at the Nippon Paper Industries Yatsushiro Plant in Kumamoto, a chimney collapsed during the quake, trapping at least 11 people. Two of them were later found without vital signs. Rescue teams worked to free others still believed trapped.

Widespread damage and emergency response

The quake, which Japan’s Meteorological Agency measured at magnitude 7.1 and rated Shindo 7—the highest level of shaking—also derailed a cargo train, cracked roads, and damaged bridges. At least 12 houses collapsed, and Kyodo news agency reported one person killed in a damaged home. NHK said at least 50 people were taken to hospitals, with six rescued earlier. Power outages hit about 45,000 households and facilities in Kumamoto, according to Kyushu Electric Power. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the establishment of an emergency operations center on social media, warning of power and water shortages and raising concerns about heat exhaustion amid recent temperatures up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. 'The government will work tirelessly through the night to swiftly assess the overall damage situation and carry out emergency disaster response measures, starting with the rescue and lifesaving of those affected,' Takaichi said. The Japan Meteorological Agency initially issued a tsunami warning for possible waves of up to 3 feet but withdrew it after a couple of hours. The Nuclear Regulation Authority said no abnormalities were detected at nuclear power plants, and three reactors operating in the region continued normal function.

Context: Japan’s seismic vulnerability and past quakes

Kumamoto Prefecture was devastated by two major earthquakes in 2016—a magnitude 6.5 followed by a 7.3—which killed 273 people and injured more than 2,800. Tuesday’s quake is a stark reminder of Japan’s position on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' where four tectonic plates meet, making it one of the world’s most seismically active countries. While hundreds of quakes strike Japan each year, most cause little damage. However, this event’s powerful shaking and the resulting structural collapses highlight ongoing risks. A local NHK staffer on air, still wearing a helmet half an hour after the quake, reported that continued tremors made it hard to stand: 'Shaking is continuing as I speak. When the quake struck, the shaking was so big that I could not stand up. Please be aware of the possibility that shaking might continue after this.' The disaster unfolds against a backdrop of extreme heat, compounding dangers for survivors and rescuers.

As rescue operations continue through the night, authorities face the challenge of reaching those trapped in rubble while managing power outages and water shortages. The government’s focus remains on lifesaving measures, but the coming days will also see efforts to restore utilities and assess the full scale of damage. With Japan’s history of devastating quakes, the incident underscores the importance of preparedness and rapid response in a nation that lives with seismic threats daily.