Japan earthquake injures 50 and traps ‘many people’ inside shopping mall

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday afternoon, leaving at least 50 people injured. Authorities report that several individuals remain trapped inside a partially collapsed Aeon shopping mall, where an explosion occurred shortly after the initial tremor. Rescue teams are currently working in the affected area, though conditions remain difficult due to subsequent aftershocks and structural damage.

Public infrastructure across the region suffered significant impacts, with power outages affecting approximately 48,000 homes. Local transport networks are currently offline as railway services suspended operations and Kumamoto airport closed its runways. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has directed residents to evacuate to designated safety centers, while regional officials continue to monitor the risk of further landslides and seismic activity.

Major industrial sites, including facilities operated by TSMC, Sony, and Fujifilm, initiated emergency shutdowns and personnel evacuations as a precaution. While initial reports indicated widespread damage to roads and bridges, the Japanese nuclear regulation authority confirmed that no irregularities occurred at local power stations. Further assessments of the damage are ongoing as the region navigates the immediate aftermath of the event.