A powerful earthquake struck southern Japan, causing an explosion at the Aeon Mall shopping center in Kashima. Numerous people are trapped, and material damage is extensive.
On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, a devastating earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck Japan, with its epicenter near the cities of Kumamoto and Uki on the island of Kyushu. The earthquake caused a series of damages across the region, including an explosion at the Aeon Mall shopping center in Kashima, where, according to the Brazilian news portal G1 Globo, "many" people remained trapped. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a temporary tsunami warning, and authorities issued evacuation orders for more than 150,000 people.
As reported by AFP, police in Kashima stated that an explosion occurred at the Aeon Mall during the earthquake. A police officer told AFP: "We are aware of reports of an explosion. I have no idea what damage was caused or if anyone was injured." The Kumamoto Fire Department confirmed to G1 Globo that "many" people are trapped inside the center, likely under debris, but the exact number was not given. Aerial footage released by Japanese television shows a partially destroyed building.
According to data from G1 Globo, at least 50 people were injured in the earthquake. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated, as reported by Tportal, that the number of casualties and the extent of damage are still being assessed. "We have already been informed that people have been injured. In some areas, power outages and fires have occurred, and there has been damage to roads and bridges as well as building collapses. I ask everyone to take measures to protect themselves," Takaichi said.
More than 150,000 people have been instructed to go to evacuation centers, the Disaster Management Agency announced. Kyushu Electric Power reported that approximately 40,000 households have lost power. Railway company JR Kyushu suspended all services, including bullet trains, and Kumamoto Airport closed its runway. Telecommunications operators KDDI and Docomo reported disruptions to mobile services.
Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC evacuated workers from its factory in the area, while Sony is checking the status of its factory, spokespersons confirmed to Tportal. Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority stated that no irregularities were reported at any nuclear power plants in the affected area.
The JMA originally issued a tsunami warning for waves up to one meter high but later canceled it. A JMA official warned that residents in areas that experienced the strongest shaking must be cautious of further strong earthquakes for about a week, as well as the risk of landslides. The earthquake, at a depth of only 10 kilometers, was followed by aftershocks of magnitudes 5.6 and 4.9.
As a reminder, a powerful earthquake in Kumamoto about ten years ago killed 275 people and injured another 2,739. Japan lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and records about 20 percent of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or higher.
