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Multiple people were reportedly trapped after an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima collapsed following the earthquake.
A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's Kyushu region on 28 July 2026, causing widespread disruption and damage across parts of southwestern Japan.
According to local media news reports, the earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture at 4:27pm local time at a depth of approximately 10km. The tremor reached the maximum level of Japan's seismic intensity scale.
Following the quake, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially issued tsunami advisories for coastal areas along the Ariake and Yatsushiro seas, but these were later lifted.
The earthquake disrupted transport and power supplies across the region. JR Kyushu suspended services on several lines, including its Shinkansen high-speed rail network. More than 40,000 households in Kumamoto Prefecture experienced power outages, according to local media reports citing Kyushu Electric Power.
Local media reported building collapses and fires in several parts of Kumamoto Prefecture. Among the most serious incidents was the collapse of an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima that reportedly trapped multiple people after an earlier explosion was reported at the site. NHK, citing police sources, reported that approximately 20 to 30 employees working at the shopping mall could not be contacted following the collapse.
Damage was also reported to highway infrastructure along the Kyushu Expressway in Yatsushiro.
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the death toll from the series of earthquakes in Kumamoto Prefecture has risen to 13, according to NHK.
The JMA cautioned that earthquakes of a similar magnitude may occur in the coming weeks and urged the public to remain vigilant.
Image / Screenshot from NHK video
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