Key facts
- A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto, Japan, on Tuesday.
- An explosion occurred at Aeon Mall Kumamoto an hour after the earthquake.
- Three people were confirmed dead, and four store workers are missing.
- Eight people were rescued from the wreckage.
- A possible gas leak is under investigation as the cause of the explosion.
- The mall was designated as an evacuation site and had undergone seismic reinforcement.
A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto, Japan, on Tuesday, triggering an explosion at Aeon Mall Kumamoto an hour later. The blast caused significant structural damage, with steel beams exposed and debris scattered. Rescue efforts are underway, with eight people pulled from the wreckage, including three deceased. The status of four store workers remains unknown.
Aeon, the mall operator, is investigating a possible gas leak as the cause of the explosion. First responders initially hesitated to enter the partially collapsed site due to fears of further collapse amid numerous aftershocks. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the situation as a "race against time" to rescue those trapped, and approximately 170 soldiers have been deployed to aid in the operations.
The mall, the largest in the prefecture and recently reopened after seismic reinforcement following a 2016 earthquake, had been designated as an evacuation site. Staff promptly evacuated over 200 people to a car park after the earthquake. Witnesses reported the explosion sounded like a bomb and smelled gas, raising concerns about the safety protocols for the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used at the facility.
The incident has led to fresh concerns regarding the resilience of disaster response hubs in Japan, which are expected to shelter evacuees and distribute emergency supplies.