‘Like volcanic ash falling’: Inside Aeon mall after Japan’s earthquake

Following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto, Japan, an explosion occurred at the Aeon mall, causing partial collapse and debris to scatter. Shoppers and employees were evacuated, but eight people were pulled from the wreckage, with three confirmed dead. The status of three shop workers remains unknown, and Aeon is investigating a potential gas leak as the cause of the explosion. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the situation as a "race against time" for rescue efforts, with approximately 170 soldiers deployed to assist. All 25 cats from a cat cafe within the mall were successfully rescued. The Aeon mall had recently reopened after recovering from a previous earthquake a decade ago.

A powerful earthquake, measuring 6.8 to 7.1 magnitude, struck southern Japan near Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday, causing significant damage. The Aeon Mall, which had recently reopened after extensive reconstruction following the 2016 earthquake, was destroyed by the temblor and a subsequent massive explosion. Approximately 200 shoppers were safely evacuated before the explosion, but 20 to 30 mall employees remained unaccounted for. Witnesses reported smelling gas before the blast, which blew off exterior walls. Rescue operations were delayed due to aftershocks. The mall was a symbol of the region's recovery and had undergone seismic reinforcements. The earthquake also caused at least eight fires and injured at least 50 people.

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture on Japan's southern Kyushu island, injuring at least 50 people and causing significant damage. The quake, which occurred late Tuesday afternoon, led to power outages for thousands of homes and damaged roads, bridges, and buildings. A partially collapsed shopping mall resulted in an explosion, trapping "many people" inside, with some presumed dead. Approximately 300,000 people were instructed to evacuate to safety centers. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of continued seismic activity and the risk of landslides for about a week. Major companies like TSMC, Sony, and Fujifilm evacuated workers from their factories in the affected region.

Southern Japan is facing a growing concern of heatstroke among earthquake victims due to a lack of power and water. A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture, causing significant damage, including toppled houses and split streets in Yatsushiro. Two days after the quake, approximately 58,000 households in Yatsushiro remained without running water or electricity. Town official Akio Matsushita expressed worry about these essential services being unavailable amidst the punishing summer heat, noting the difficulty the lack of water presents. The timeline for repairing damaged water mains is uncertain, with potential delays of days, weeks, or months. The earthquake has resulted in at least 17 fatalities.