Japan: Strong earthquake hits Kumamoto, several dead

Published 28 July 2026 · health

Dozens of people were hospitalized after the earthquake hit southern Japan. According to media reports, at least two women were killed after a shopping mall

Dozens of people were hospitalized after the earthquake hit southern Japan. According to media reports, at least two women were killed after a shopping mall partially collapsed in the town of Kashima. A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan's southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday afternoon, triggering emergency warnings and prompting authorities to assess the extent of the damage. On Wednesday, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said at least five people were killed. At least two of the victims died in a shopping mall in Kashima and the third died in a building collapse in a town near the epicenter. Japan's public broadcaster, NHK, reported that "many people" were trapped inside the shopping mall damaged by the earthquake. Several people were rescued from the mall, including a person who was reported to be in cardiopulmonary arrest. Ten people were unaccounted for. The collapse of the mall followed an explosion likely triggered by a gas leak, NHK reported. NHK had initially reported that at least 50 people were hospitalized after the earthquake. Authorities assess damage as tsunami threat eases Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also said initial reports indicated multiple injuries, damage to civilian infrastructure, and fires in several affected areas.

"We are still assessing the extent of injuries and property damage, but I have been informed that there have already been several injuries," Takaichi said. "Power outages and fires are happening in some areas, and roads and bridges have been damaged and buildings collapsed," she added. Although the earthquake caused widespread disruption and temporarily raised fears of a tsunami, officials later confirmed that the threat had subsided and that Japan's coastline was no longer in danger. "This earthquake occurred inland, and no tsunami activity has been observed so far," a spokesperson for the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. "For this reason, we hope to lift the tsunami advisory at a relatively early stage, depending on future sea level conditions." The earthquake struck at 4:27 p.m. local time and registered the highest possible level of seven on Japan's Shindo intensity scale, which measures ground shaking Image: Kyodo/REUTERS Power and nuclear facilities remain safe Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority reported that no abnormalities were detected at three nearby nuclear power plants, providing reassurance in a country still sensitive to nuclear safety concerns following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. However, the earthquake disrupted electricity supplies across the region. According to Kyushu Electric Power, approximately 45,000 households and facilities in Kumamoto temporarily lost power following the tremor.