Multiple people trapped inside shopping centre in Japan after earthquake

An aerial view shows the damaged Aeon Mall shopping centre after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan's southern Kumamoto prefecture, in Kashima Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, July 28, 2026. Picture: Kyodo/via REUTERS

People are trapped inside a shopping mall that was damaged in a major earthquake today in southwestern Japan, emergency services have said.

"In Kashima town, a shopping complex’s second floor collapsed, leaving many people trapped inside,” the local fire department said in a statement.

Earlier, police said they had received reports of what sounded like an explosion at the Aeon Mall outlet in the Kumamoto region, but were unable to supply additional information on damage or any casualties.

The reports come after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the earthquake had a depth of 10km and hit the country’s Kumamoto prefecture at 4.27pm local time (8.27am IST).

The tremor measured at the highest possible level seven on Japan’s Shindo scale of shaking, the agency said. While the agency initially issued a tsunami warning for ​a wave measuring one metre, it has since rescinded that.

In 2016, Kumamoto was hit by two devastating earthquakes – one of magnitude 6.5, followed by one of magnitude 7.3 two days later – which killed 273 people and injured over 2,800 others.

Japan’s prime minister, Takaichi Sanae, has confirmed that a tsunami advisory was issued for Ariake Bay and Yatsushiro Sea after the earthquake hit Kumamoto prefecture.

She wrote on social media: "At around 4:27 p.m. today, an earthquake with its epicentre in the Kumamoto region of Kumamoto Prefecture occurred, and strong shaking with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 was observed in Uki City and Makigawa Town in Kumamoto Prefecture.

"In connection with this earthquake, a tsunami advisory has been issued for Ariake Bay and Yatsushiro Sea, and tsunamis of about 1 meter are expected. Please refrain from approaching the coast.

"As the government, immediately after the earthquake, we have established the Prime Minister’s Office Countermeasures Room in the Prime Minister’s Office Crisis Management Center, and convened the “Emergency Assembly Team” consisting of bureau chief-level officials from relevant ministries and agencies, and are fully engaged in grasping the damage situation and emergency disaster response measures such as lifesaving and rescue," she added. 

Ms Sanae said: "From me, to the relevant ministries and agencies - Urgently grasp the damage situation - Closely coordinate with local governments, and under the policy of prioritising human life, the entire government will fully engage in emergency disaster response measures such as lifesaving and rescue for the affected people - Timely and accurate provision of information to the public regarding tsunamis and damage, etc. I have instructed these three points.

"To those in the areas where the shaking was strong, I would like to ask you to continue to be vigilant against the occurrence of earthquakes of the same magnitude," she said. 

More to follow...