Japan earthquake triggers blast in mall, several feared dead, trapped
A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, causing building collapses, fires, and trapping individuals in a shopping mall. Authorities have issued evacuation orders as rescue operations continue amid fears of significant casualties.
Why it matters
Major seismic events in Japan have significant humanitarian and economic implications, particularly for global supply chains like semiconductor manufacturing.
A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday, injuring at least 50 people, trapping several inside a partially collapsed shopping mall, and widespread disruption across southern Japan.Fire officials said multiple people were trapped inside an Aeon shopping mall after the reported explosion, as per Reuters. An Aeon spokesperson said customers and staff were evacuated immediately following the initial quake, but the cause of the subsequent explosion was still unknown.Broadcaster TBS reported that police feared "quite a few" people may have died, although officials have not yet confirmed the number of casualties.According to the National Center for Seismology, the earthquake occurred at 12:57:22 IST with its epicentre at latitude 32.643°N and longitude 130.985°E, at a depth of 70 kilometres.PM urges evacuation as rescue operations continuePrime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the full extent of the damage was still being assessed."We have already been informed…
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