Powerful quake hits southern Japan, deaths feared in shopping mall explosion

Lead

A powerful earthquake struck southern Japan on Tuesday, causing widespread damage, trapping people in a shopping mall and prompting a tsunami advisory that was later lifted. The quake, measured at magnitude 7.1 by the Japan Meteorological Agency, hit the Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island on Tuesday afternoon, according to reports from multiple outlets.

The hardest-hit location appears to be an Aeon Mall in Kashima town, where a second floor collapsed and an explosion occurred shortly after the quake, leaving many people trapped and dozens unaccounted for. Japanese broadcaster TBS reported that a "considerable number" of people have died at the mall, a claim carried by several outlets, though police have not yet confirmed fatalities.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the quake's magnitude varies slightly depending on the source. The Japan Meteorological Agency initially reported a preliminary magnitude of 7.1, as noted by France 24 and The Guardian, while the U.S. Geological Survey revised its estimate to 6.8, a figure cited by Fox News (citing FOX Weather) and The Hindu. The Guardian and Al Jazeera both reported the quake's depth at 10 kilometres.

All outlets agree that a tsunami warning or advisory was issued following the quake and later lifted, though the duration differs slightly in various reports. The Guardian and The Hindu noted that the warning was rescinded within two hours, while BBC and France 24 simply said it was lifted.

The extent of casualties and injuries is reported with some variance. France 24 and The Guardian reported that at least 50 people were taken to hospital, citing NHK. The Hindu reported at least 28 deaths, while TASS reported a death toll of 35, with over 120 injured. These figures likely reflect updates over time, with TASS reporting three days after the quake. The Guardian noted that officials had reported "quite a few" presumed dead in the mall incident, citing TBS.

Key Claims

• A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan's Kumamoto prefecture on July 28, as reported by ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, BBC, France 24, The Guardian, Dawn, The Hindu, TASS, and Fox News. The US Geological Survey later revised the magnitude to 6.8, a figure carried by The Hindu and Fox News.
• The earthquake had a depth of 10 kilometres, according to The Guardian and France 24.
• A tsunami warning was initially issued but later rescinded, as reported by BBC, France 24, The Guardian, and The Hindu.
• The Aeon Mall in Kumamoto prefecture was damaged, with its second floor collapsing, according to multiple sources including ABC Australia, BBC, France 24, The Guardian, and The Hindu.
• Many people were trapped inside the mall, with dozens of employees unaccounted for, according to BBC and Fox News, which cited NHK.
• An explosion occurred at the Aeon Mall outlet, causing additional damage, as reported by ABC Australia, BBC, France 24, The Guardian, and The Hindu.
• A "considerable number" of people are feared dead at the mall, according to TBS, as reported by France 24, The Hindu, and ABC Australia.
• Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi established an Emergency Assembly Team and later deployed soldiers for rescue efforts, according to The Guardian and The Hindu.
• Over 150,000 people were told to evacuate, as reported by BBC, while The Guardian and Dawn reported a figure closer to 300,000.
• The earthquake caused power outages and damaged roads, as reported by BBC, Dawn, TASS, and The Hindu.
• More than 40,000 households were without power initially, according to BBC. TASS later reported 5,300 homes still without power three days after the quake.
• At least 50 people were taken to hospital with injuries, according to France 24 and The Guardian.
• The Aeon Mall had been rebuilt to withstand earthquakes and reopened on June 13, as reported by South China Morning Post and Fox News.
• TASS reported the death toll at 35 and over 120 injured, with nearly 80,000 homes without water supply.

Perspectives

The Japanese government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, has been coordinating the response. In remarks reported by The Guardian and Dawn, Takaichi said authorities were still assessing the full extent of the damage, noting injuries, power outages, fires and damage to roads and bridges. She urged residents to take protective action and announced the deployment of soldiers for disaster recovery.

The local fire department, cited by multiple outlets including The Guardian and The Hindu, stated that a shopping complex's second floor collapsed, leaving many people trapped inside. Police reported receiving calls about an explosion at the Aeon Mall, but details on casualties were initially unclear.

An Aeon spokesperson, quoted by ABC Australia and The Guardian, said customers and employees were evacuated after the initial quake and that the exact cause of the ensuing explosion was unclear. A witness, Kazuya Tsurunaga, told TBS he heard the explosion while cleaning up broken dishes in a pub about 300 metres from the mall, describing a huge impact and a large cloud of smoke.

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of strong aftershocks, with The Guardian reporting that more than 60 aftershocks had occurred. The UN nuclear watchdog, as reported by The Guardian, said there were no damage or safety issues at the Sendai nuclear plant, and Kyushu Electric Power reported no irregularities at its nuclear stations, according to France 24.