Multiple deaths are being reported after a shopping mall collapsed during today's 6.8-magnitude earthquake in southern Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture.
The second floor at the Aeon Mall shopping center in Kashima Town collapsed, trapping an unknown number of people as a result of the explosion.
Rescue operations were being carried out, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said.
Mall operator Aeon said customers were being evacuated and it was still assessing the situation.
The earthquake caused powerful shaking and a tsunami warning was issued for Kyushu's south-western coastlines, though it was later lifted.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially said the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1, but revised it later to 6.8.
Prime minister Sanae Takaichi said people had been injured and that officials were evaluating reports of collapsed buildings, fires, damaged roads and bridges, and power outages. She urged residents to evacuate to safe locations and remain alert.
Public broadcaster NHK showed burning and collapsed buildings, large cracks in roads, including an elevated highway, and a derailed freight train.
Mobile phone services were also disrupted in some areas and around 40,000 homes lost electricity.
Key Points
- Many people trapped in Kumamoto mall after explosion - report
- No risk of tsunami beyond Japan, US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says
- Immediate evacuation orders issued after tsunami alert
- Mapped: Magnitude 7.1 earthquake hits Japan's Kyushu region
- Sanae Takaichi says people’s lives are top priority
Dashcam footage shows moment of explosion at shopping mall
17:35 , Harriette Boucher
Watch: Aerial footage reveals destruction after 6.8-magnitude tremor
17:12 , Harriette Boucher
Japanese PM likens quake to 2016 disaster
16:57 , Harriette Boucher
Japan’s prime minister has said said today’s earthquake in Kumamoto was a repeat of the disaster that shook the town in 2016.
“Today, the ‘2016 Kumamoto Earthquake’ has occurred, and human casualties, building collapses, road damage, fires, and other damages have been confirmed so far,” Sanae Takaichi wrote on X.
She said her government would work “tirelessly” overnight to assess the full scale of the damage and carry out emergency response efforts.
Earthquake causes chimney to collapse at paper mill
16:32 , Harriette Boucher
A history of Japan's largest quakes
16:11 , Harriette Boucher
Japan was rocked by a powerful 6.8 earthquake today, which is thought to have killed several people.
Residents in Kumamoto said the shake reminded them of the 2016 disaster that left 278 people dead across the prefecture and surrounding areas.
Around 20 per cent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater take place in Japan and up to 2,000 quakes are felt by people each year.
These are some of the largest earthquakes that have struck Japan in the last 15 years:
- On March 16, 2022, a magnitude-7.4 earthquake jolted the coast off Fukushima again, leaving three dead, more than 200 injured and reviving memories of the quake and tsunami that crippled the Pacific coast region just over a decade earlier.
- On February 13, 2021, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Fukushima in eastern Japan, injuring dozens of people and triggering widespread power outages in Greater Tokyo.
- On September 6, 2018, a 6.7-magnitude earthquake paralysed Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, killing more than 40 people, triggering landslides and knocking out power to its 5.3 million residents.
- On June 18, 2018, a magnitude-6.1 earthquake in Osaka, Japan's second-biggest metropolis, killed four people, injured hundreds more and halted factory lines in an industrial area.
- On April 16, 2016, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto, the scene of Tuesday's temblor, killing more than 270 people, including some caught in landslides and heavy rain in the aftermath.
- On March 11, 2011, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami struck northeast Japan, killing nearly 20,000 people and causing a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, leading to the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.
Mapped: Series of tremors rattler southwestern Japan hit
15:52 , Harriette Boucher
Around 300,000 told to evacuate amid aftershocks
15:36 , Harriette Boucher
Some 300,000 people have been told to go to evacuation centres today as aftershocks continued on Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu.
Hundreds of soldiers were deployed to help as rescue operations continue.
Japan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi said : “I ask everyone to take action to protect themselves, including evacuating to a safe location.”
Mall operator Aeon said customers and employees were evacuated right after the initial quake, while TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, Sony and Fujifilm evacuated workers from their plants following the quake.
Pictures show damage following Japan's 6.8 earthquake
15:04 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Around 20 to 30 mall workers unaccounted for, local media says
14:26 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Around 20 to 30 workers at the prefecture's largest shopping mall were unaccounted for after it was rocked by an explosion in the aftermath of the quake, broadcaster NHK said.
Fire services earlier said multiple people were trapped inside, while police said "quite a few" were presumed dead in the incident, broadcaster TBS reported.
One side of the mall, which houses around 200 stores, was torn away, exposing steel beams and strewing debris across a vast parking lot, footage showed.
Several ambulances and fire engines were parked outside, as rescue teams searched for survivors.
Second floor of shopping mall in Kashima Town collapsed
14:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The second floor at the Aeon Mall shopping center in Kashima Town collapsed, trapping an unknown number of people.
Rescue operations were being carried out, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said without giving further details.
No tsunami detected following powerful earthquake
13:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Following the powerful earthquake, a tsunami advisory was temporarily issued but was lifted within two hours, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The agency said the tsunami advisory covered the nearby Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas on the western coasts of Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Fukuoka and Saga prefectures about 900 kilometers (560 miles) southwest of Tokyo.
Train derails and castle walls crumble following earthquake
13:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A hospital in Yatsushiro city accepted about 40 people with injuries from the quake, Kyodo News agency said.
A train was derailed and fell on its side at the Yatsushiro station, and stone walls were damaged at the Kumamoto castle, Kyodo said.
Yozo Kai, a priest at a Shinto shrine in the nearby town of Mashiki, said a few stone lanterns fell down. “I worried if the main hall and the gate would tilt again,” he told Kyodo.
“The shaking reminded me of the Kumamoto quake (10 years ago) and I was frightened,” said Hiroki Shimoda, an official at the Mifune town hall, who saw rooftiles of nearby homes crash down to the ground.
Multiple people confirmed dead in shopping centre explosion in Kashima
12:43 , Adam Withnall
Multiple people are confirmed dead as a result of the shopping centre explosion in Kashima town, according to Fuji TV.
Witnesses say the explosion occurred shortly after the earthquake struck Kumamoto province, though its cause is yet to be established.
Fire officials say part of the second floor of the building collapsed due to the explosion, trapping many people inside.
Quake reminds residents of 2016 earthquake
12:28 , Shweta Sharma
Residents in Kumamoto said the earthquake reminded them of the 2016 disaster that left 278 people dead across the prefecture and surrounding areas.
Yozo Kai, a priest at a Shinto shrine in the nearby town of Mashiki, said he saw a few stone lanterns fall down.
"I worried if the main hall and the gate would tilt again," he told Kyodo.
Hiroki Shimoda, an official at the Mifune town hall, who saw rooftiles of nearby homes crash down to the ground, said: "The shaking reminded me of the Kumamoto quake (10 years ago) and I was frightened."
'Quite a few' feared dead after Japan mall explosion
12:17 , Shweta Sharma
Police in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture said there are "quite a few" presumed dead following an explosion at an Aeon shopping mall that occurred after the 7.1-magnitude earthquake, broadcaster TBS reported.
Emergency crews are continuing search and rescue operations at the site, where multiple people were reported trapped after part of the building collapsed.
Authorities have not yet released an official death toll or reason for the explosion.
Aftershock jolts Kumamoto
12:13 , Shweta Sharma
A magnitude 4.2 aftershock was reported in Kumamoto around 7pm, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Eyewitness recounts huge explosion at mall
12:08 , Shweta Sharma
"It was a huge impact," eyewitness Kazuya Tsurunaga said after an explosion ripped through an Aeon shopping mall in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture following a powerful earthquake, trapping multiple people inside.
Tsurunaga, who was cleaning up dishes broken by the quake inside a pub about 300 metres from the mall, told broadcaster TBS he saw a massive cloud of smoke rise into the air.
"It was a huge impact," he said. "A large cloud of smoke billowed up, and because the wind happened to be blowing and the wind direction was towards the shop, the area around us was in a state like volcanic ash was falling."
Emergency services said several people were trapped after the explosion at the Aeon shopping mall.
An Aeon spokesperson said customers and employees had been evacuated immediately after the initial earthquake and that the cause of the subsequent explosion remained unclear.
Many people trapped in Kumamoto mall after explosion - report
11:41 , Shweta Sharma
An explosion has been reported at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima Town.
The company said customers have been evacuated and it is still assessing the situation.
A part of the second floor of the building collapsed after the explosion, trapping many people inside, fire officials said.
Broadcaster NHK’s helicopter recorded parts of the shopping centre's exterior walls damaged, exposing the interiors.
Aerial footage shows damage to major expressway during earthquake
11:22 , Shweta Sharma
Aerial footage broadcast by NHK shows extensive damage to the Kyushu Expressway after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck.
Several bridge sections appear to have shifted and separated at expansion joints.
The earthquake has caused significant damage to buildings and roads and also sparked fires.
Aerial footage from an NHK news broadcast shows severe damage to the Kyushu Expressway, where bridge sections appear to have shifted and separated at the expansion joints following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto, Japan.
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) July 28, 2026
At least 50 people have been injured. pic.twitter.com/Tq3ADfOcR1
Seven fires have broken out in earthquake-hit region
11:14 , Shweta Sharma
Japan’s disaster management agency has said that at least seven fires have broken out in Kumamoto Prefecture as of 6pm local time.
Most were in Kumamoto City, it said.
At least 50 people being treated in a town in Kumamoto
11:07 , Shweta Sharma
A hospital in the town of Hikawa in Kumamoto Prefecture was treating at least 50 people injured in the earthquake, according to public broadcaster NHK.
Pictures show damage caused by earthquake
11:01 , Shweta Sharma
Tsunami warning lifted as authorities assess damage
10:43 , Shweta Sharma
The tsunami warning issued after a powerful earthquake has been lifted.
Emergency officials are continuing to assess the extent of the damage in areas near the epicentre, where buildings collapsed, fires broke out and several people were reported injured.
JMA asks people to remain alert for week
10:39 , Shweta Sharma
The Japan Meteorological Agency has asked people to remain on alert for the next week as potential earthquakes with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 – the maximum on Japan's own scale – could follow,
"Please pay full attention to possible future earthquakes and rain, and stay away from dangerous places,” it said in a press conference.
"Also, for the next week or so, especially during the next two to three days, we would like people to watch out for potential earthquakes with a maximum seismic intensity of 7."
Several reported to be injured near epicentre, PM says
10:28 , Shweta Sharma
Several people have been reported injured near the epicentre of the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture.
Speaking to reporters at her office in Tokyo, Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi said they are receiving reports that some people have been injured, but the extent of casualties and property damage was being assessed.
"We have already been informed that people have been injured," Takaichi said.
The epicentre of the 7.1-magnitude quake was near Uto, a coastal city in Kumamoto Prefecture, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Buildings damaged and fires reported after quake
10:22 , Shweta Sharma
Footage broadcast by NHK showed several buildings collapsed near the epicentre of the powerful earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.
The fire department in the city of Uki told the broadcaster it had received numerous emergency calls as multiple fires broke out across the city following the quake.
The fire department said it was assessing the situation.
Live: Japan struck by 7.1 magnitude earthquake as Tsunami warning issued
10:15 , Shweta Sharma
More than 48,000 households lose power after powerful Japan earthquake
10:14 , Shweta Sharma
Electricity was cut to about 48,300 households in Kumamoto Prefecture following the powerful earthquake, according to Kyushu Electric Power.
The utility urged residents not to touch downed or severed power lines and to report any damaged electrical equipment or other abnormalities as restoration efforts continue.
In pictures: Powerful earthquake rocks Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture
09:58 , Shweta Sharma
Sanae Takaichi says people’s lives are top priority
09:52 , Shweta Sharma
Japan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to avoid the coastline where a tsunami of up to 1 metre (3 feet) was predicted.
She said her government has set up a task force to gather information, assess possible damage and prepare for rescue operations if needed.
“We are putting people’s lives as the top priority,” Takaichi said.
She urged residents in areas that experienced the strongest shaking to continue exercising caution, given the possibility of powerful aftershocks.
Video shows violent shaking in Costco store
09:47 , Shweta Sharma
A video circulating on social media appears to show chaotic scenes inside a Costco store in Kumamoto, Japan, as the earthquake happened.
Shelves can be seen emptied as products crash to the floor while shoppers scramble to safety amid the intense shaking.
Panicked shoppers, including kids, could be seen running for cover in the video while others crouched on the floor.
A viral video appears to show a frightening scene inside of a Costco in Kumamoto immediately after the earthquake. A lot of items have fallen from shelves as people are trying to get to safety.pic.twitter.com/W1dRVWNwlh https://t.co/IblWNrqTcj
— Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@mrjeffu) July 28, 2026
Watch as Kumamoto Castle's wall collapses after earthquake
09:31 , Shweta Sharma
Stone walls at the historic Kumamoto Castle collapsed after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck southwestern Japan.
The quake triggered tsunami alerts, disrupted rail services and prompted authorities to assess damage across the region.
Video purported to show a part of the wall collapsing into a waterbody at the Kumamoto Castle.
Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan's most famous landmarks, was also heavily damaged during the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes.
A few minutes ago: The stone walls of Kumamoto Castle collapsed following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake (地震 ) that struck 4 km southeast of Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. pic.twitter.com/PwXwldRmIr
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) July 28, 2026
Tsunami waves over 3ft could hit Japan, JMA says
09:26 , Shweta Sharma
A tsunami warning for waves measuring up to 1m (3.28 feet) was issued after the powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The Japanese government issued emergency earthquake warnings for Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, and Miyazaki prefectures, all on Japan's southern Kyushu island.
Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, with a tremor occurring at least every five minutes.
Located along the "Ring of Fire" of volcanoes and oceanic trenches partly encircling the Pacific Basin, Japan accounts for about 20 per cent of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or more.
Mapped: Magnitude 7.1 earthquake hits Japan's Kyushu region
09:21 , Shweta Sharma
The quake hit Kumamoto Prefecture, located on Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island, about 900 km (560 miles) southwest of Tokyo.
High-speed trains halted after Japan quake
09:14 , Shweta Sharma
Train operator JR Kyushu has suspended rail services, including its Kyushu Shinkansen bullet trains, following the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture.
Kyushu Electric Power said there were no reports of abnormalities at its Sendai and Genkai nuclear power plants after the quake.
No risk of tsunami beyond Japan, US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says
09:10 , Shweta Sharma
US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has said there is no risk of a tsunami beyond Japan.
The quake occurred in the western region of Kumamoto, about 900km(540 miles) southwest of Tokyo.
No damage or injuries were immediately reported after the 4.29pm quake.
Kumamoto museum of arts shuts down after powerful eathquake
09:06 , Shweta Sharma
The Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art has announced it will remain closed on Wednesday following the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto City.
The museum said the closure is a precautionary safety measure and that it will provide further updates on reopening and future operations as more information becomes available.
Tsunami warning issued for Japan's Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea
09:05 , Shweta Sharma
A tsunami advisory has been issued for Japan's Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea following a powerful earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Authorities are urging people in coastal areas to stay away from the shoreline and follow evacuation instructions if advised.
“The sea and areas near the coast are dangerous,” the disaster management authority said.
Immediate evacuation orders issued after tsunami alert
08:59 , Shweta Sharma
Immediate evacuation orders have been issued after a powerful earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, with authorities reporting a maximum seismic intensity of 7.1, according to the Disaster Management Division of Japan's Cabinet Office.
A tsunami advisory has been issued for Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas.
“The sea and areas near the coast are dangerous. Please immediately move away from the coast. Also, until the advisory is lifted, do not enter the sea or approach the coast,” it said.
Residents in affected areas are being urged to stay calm, follow instructions from national and local authorities, and rely on trusted sources such as television, radio, and official online updates for the latest information.
【津波注意報】28日16時29分、有明・八代海に津波注意報が発表されました。海の中や海岸付近は危険です。ただちに海岸から離れてください。また、注意報が解除されるまでは海に入ったり、海岸に近づいたりしないでください。
— 内閣府防災 (@CAO_BOUSAI) July 28, 2026
Breaking: Tsunami warning issued as 7.1-magnitude quake hits Japan
08:54 , Shweta Sharma
Japan has issued a tsunami warning after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto on the southern main island of Kyushu.
We’ll bring you more on this breaking news story here.
