Key facts
- A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan's Kumamoto prefecture.
- At least 50 people were injured.
- An explosion and partial collapse at an Aeon shopping mall trapped an unknown number of people.
- Thousands of homes lost power, and infrastructure damage was widespread.
- Authorities issued evacuation orders and warnings of aftershocks and landslides.
A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan's Kumamoto prefecture late Tuesday, causing widespread damage, injuring at least 50 people, and trapping an unknown number inside a partially collapsed Aeon shopping mall following an explosion. Thousands of homes lost power, and roads, bridges, and buildings were damaged. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that authorities were assessing the damage, which included fires and building collapses. Approximately 300,000 people were instructed to evacuate to shelters. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that the region remains at risk of further strong quakes and landslides for about a week, with over 60 aftershocks already recorded. A tsunami warning was issued and subsequently lifted. Several people were injured on a high-speed train, and major companies like TSMC, Sony, and Fujifilm evacuated factory workers. The earthquake's epicentre was near Kumamoto city, a region previously devastated by a major quake a decade ago.