What begins as an ordinary shopping trip can change in seconds.
A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kyushu island in south-west Japan.
It left several people trapped inside a shopping centre and forced thousands to evacuate.
The quake hit near Kumamoto at a shallow depth, triggering a brief tsunami warning and prompting evacuation orders for around 300,000 residents.
Officials said part of the Aeon Mall in Kashima collapsed after an explosion, with emergency crews racing to rescue people trapped inside.
Television footage showed cracked roads, damaged bridges, burning buildings and thick white smoke rising from the shopping complex.
At least 50 people were taken to hospital, while others suffered injuries across the region.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed rescue efforts were underway, saying, “We are still assessing the extent of injuries and property damage.”
Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara urged residents to “act calmly” and follow official evacuation instructions as aftershocks continue.
Reuters
The fire department said the second floor of the mall collapsed, “leaving many people trapped inside”.
The International Atomic Energy Agency also confirmed that the nearby Sendai Nuclear Power Plant remained safe and operational.
Japan experiences around 1,500 earthquakes every year.
Each major tremor is a stark reminder that even one of the world’s best-prepared nations can never fully predict nature’s next move.
