A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan on July 28, 2026, causing a devastating explosion in a shopping mall in the city of Kashima. The incident resulted in several fatalities and left the building’s structure partially destroyed.
Local television channels, such as Fuji and TBS, reported that Aeon Mall was the scene of “several deaths”, although the exact number of victims was not detailed.
Aerial records from the region revealed the extent of the damage, confirming that the mall suffered significant destruction due to the combination of the explosion and seismic tremors.
Police authorities in the Kumamoto region reported a “considerable number” of deaths in the area, which was hit by an explosion during the earthquake. The precise cause of the explosion has not yet been identified by investigation teams.
The Kumamoto fire department said the incident trapped “many” people inside the mall, with the possibility of being buried under the rubble. The exact number of affected individuals has not been specified.
The commercial establishment is just one of many buildings that were impacted in southern Japan, which suffered from a 7.1 magnitude mainshock and several aftershocks. The natural event resulted in dozens of injuries, according to initial reports.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was recorded on land, near the cities of Kumamoto and Uki, located on the island of Kyushu. The shallow depth of the tremor, just 10 km, is considered a factor that amplifies its effects, being followed by aftershocks of magnitudes 5.6 and 4.9.
