Japan Kumamoto 7.1 quake triggers shopping mall gas explosion: 2 dead, 5 injured, 20-30 missing
A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28, triggering a gas explosion at the Aeon shopping mall in Kashima Town. At least 2 killed, 5 injured, 20-30 people missing. Over 48,000 households lost power.
A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan at 4:27 p.m. local time on July 28, with a focal depth of about 10 km and reaching the highest level of '7' on Japan's seismic intensity scale.
At the Aeon shopping mall in Kashima Town, a massive gas explosion occurred following the quake, causing partial structural collapse. Rescue teams have recovered 8 trapped individuals, including 2 confirmed dead and 5 injured, with one person in critical condition. Kyodo News cited a senior government official saying the explosion was likely caused by a gas leak. Approximately 20-30 people remain unaccounted for, believed to be mall employees.
The quake also toppled a chimney at a Nippon Paper Group factory in Yatsushiro City, leaving two rescued individuals in cardiopulmonary arrest and nine others missing. Over 48,000 households experienced power outages, with multiple building collapses and bridge fractures reported. A tsunami warning was issued and later lifted.
The Japanese government has established an emergency disaster response headquarters. More than 60 aftershocks have been recorded as of July 29.
Translation: 119zj