Japan mall explosion after 7.1 earthquake, many feared trapped

An explosion occurred Tuesday at a large shopping mall in the city of Kashima in Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture. Many people are trapped inside the building and several others have been injured, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.

Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency said preliminary information from the local fire department indicates that part of the second floor of Aeon Mall Kumamoto has collapsed. It is feared that many people may be trapped there.

According to the report, firefighters are working to assess the situation and carry out rescue operations.

The agency also said the injured have been taken to hospitals. However, details on the number of injured people and the severity of their injuries have not yet been released.

Police and fire authorities said they received multiple emergency calls at around 6 p.m. local time. Callers reported hearing a loud explosion like sound and seeing white smoke rising from Aeon Mall Kumamoto.

Aerial footage captured by an NHK helicopter at around 6:20 pm local time showed extensive damage to the building. Large sections of the exterior wall had collapsed, exposing the steel framework. Part of the roof also appeared to have caved in. A large hole was also visible in the roof.

Earlier on Tuesday, a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture. The Japan Meteorological Agency said Kashima City is believed to have experienced at least a Lower 5 level on Japan’s seismic intensity scale. However, the exact intensity has not yet been confirmed.

The cause of the explosion remains unknown. The incident is under investigation.

Source: Xinhua ( Adapted)