Thirteen people are dead after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southwestern Kumamoto region on Tuesday, flattening buildings and trapping residents under collapsed structures. Rescue teams now race against time to find survivors amidst widespread destruction across the southern island of Kyushu. The quake hit the Kumamoto region at approximately 4:27 pm local time, causing extensive damage to homes, factories, roads, and vital public infrastructure.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi acknowledged the urgency of the situation. "Even now, there are people waiting to be rescued, and this is a race against time," she stated. "We will marshal all available resources on the ground to save and rescue as many people as possible." Takaichi confirmed via X that the earthquake led to building collapses, road damage, fires, and casualties. The government established an emergency task force at 6:20 pm and held its initial response meeting at 7:49 pm. She offered condolences to the families of the deceased and noted ongoing efforts to restore electricity and water, while addressing the risk of heatstroke in crowded evacuation centers.
Immediate Devastation
The second floor of the Aeon Mall in Kashima Town collapsed, trapping several people inside. Local fire officials reported the incident. Videos from the scene also showed an explosion at the shopping complex, which authorities are investigating as a potential gas leak, according to the Associated Press. Aeon Co. confirmed the blast occurred after customers and employees had evacuated. Prefectural police stated that around 200 people escaped before the explosion. Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency expressed fears that more individuals remained trapped within the collapsed second floor. Kyodo News reported that a stranded employee communicated that several people were still awaiting rescue.
At Nippon Paper Industries' Yatsushiro factory, a chimney collapsed, burying workers beneath the rubble. Rescuers recovered two survivors and two bodies by Wednesday morning, while seven people are still believed to be trapped, AP reported. This incident highlights the direct impact on the nation's working class. More than 9,000 people spent Tuesday night in evacuation centers as rescue operations continued into Wednesday. Government spokesman Minoru Kihara detailed the human cost: "We have received reports of seven people with serious injuries and 29 with minor injuries." He added that as of 7:00 am today, 9,186 people had sought refuge in 506 evacuation centers across five prefectures, including Kumamoto and Fukuoka.
National Response and Displacement
Japanese defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed the deployment of approximately 3,600 self-defense forces personnel across the disaster-hit region. These national forces are assisting firefighters and emergency crews in critical search-and-rescue operations. The military is also providing essential support, delivering drinking water, transporting patients, and distributing food and other vital supplies to affected communities. The affected area lies about 900 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. The runway at Aso Kumamoto Airport was closed for damage assessment, disrupting national travel. A train derailed and toppled onto its side at Yatsushiro Station, further crippling local infrastructure.
Damage to Heritage and Infrastructure
Significantly, the stone walls at the historic Kumamoto Castle suffered renewed damage. This national landmark, still undergoing restoration after the devastating earthquake 10 years ago, once again bears the scars of natural disaster, a blow to the nation's cultural heritage. Hospitals in Yatsushiro and Kumamoto treated dozens of injured people, Kyodo News reported. Several major manufacturers temporarily halted operations on Tuesday but reported no significant damage and planned to resume production on Wednesday. Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that inspections found no abnormalities at three nearby nuclear power plants. Japan Meteorological Agency official Shinji Kiyomoto urged residents to remain alert, warning that strong aftershocks could continue over the next two to three days.