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Date: July 28, 2026
By Kimberly Wilson
TOKYO, Japan — A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southern Kyushu region on Tuesday, killing at least one person, injuring more than 100 others, and leaving between 20 and 30 workers missing after a shopping mall partially collapsed following a suspected gas explosion triggered by the quake. Authorities launched a massive rescue operation as hundreds of aftershocks rattled the region.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the earthquake struck at approximately 4:27 p.m. local time, with its epicentre located about 20 kilometres south of Kumamoto City at a shallow depth. The quake registered the highest level, Shindo 7, on Japan's seismic intensity scale in parts of Kumamoto Prefecture, causing severe shaking across much of Kyushu.
The most serious damage occurred at an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima Town, where part of the building collapsed. Emergency officials said 20 to 30 workers were believed trapped inside after a suspected gas explosion occurred following the earthquake. Firefighters, police, and military rescue teams were deployed to search through the debris.
Authorities confirmed at least one fatality and reported that more than 100 people sustained injuries ranging from minor cuts to serious trauma. Hospitals across Kumamoto and neighbouring prefectures activated emergency response plans to treat the influx of patients.
The earthquake also caused widespread infrastructure damage. Roads cracked, bridges were damaged, buildings suffered structural failures, and nearly 48,000 homes lost electricity. Several fires broke out in different communities, prompting emergency evacuations.
Following the quake, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory for parts of the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas. However, after monitoring sea levels and wave activity, officials lifted the advisory later in the evening after determining that the tsunami threat had passed.
Transportation across Kyushu was severely disrupted. High-speed Shinkansen rail services and local train operations were suspended, flights at Aso Kumamoto Airport were halted, and sections of major highways were closed to allow engineers to inspect bridges and roadways for structural damage.
Several major manufacturers temporarily suspended operations as a precaution. Semiconductor facilities operated by TSMC and Sony, along with automobile plants belonging to Honda, evacuated employees while inspections of production facilities were carried out to assess possible damage.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had deployed hundreds of Self-Defense Force personnel to support rescue operations and assist local authorities. She urged residents to remain alert as more than 100 aftershocks had already been recorded and warned that additional strong tremors and landslides remained possible.
Officials also confirmed that nuclear power facilities in the affected region were operating normally, with no reports of radiation leaks or safety abnormalities. Authorities continued to monitor critical infrastructure while emergency crews restored electricity and water supplies.
The disaster revived painful memories of the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, which killed dozens of people and caused extensive destruction across the same region. Seismologists noted that while Tuesday's earthquake occurred in a highly active seismic zone, investigations are continuing to determine its relationship to previous fault activity.
Rescue efforts continued into the night as emergency workers searched for survivors trapped beneath collapsed structures. Authorities urged residents to avoid damaged buildings, prepare for further aftershocks, and follow official evacuation orders where necessary while damage assessments and recovery operations continue across southern Japan.