Multiple people trapped inside shopping centre in Japan after earthquake

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

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.