Soldiers and emergency crews searched a damaged shopping center and collapsed homes in southwestern Japan on Wednesday after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake killed at least 13 people and left others missing. The quake struck the Kumamoto area of Kyushu on Tuesday afternoon, triggering intense shaking, widespread disruption and a tsunami advisory that authorities later lifted. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said rescue teams were racing to reach people still awaiting help.
The Japan Meteorological Agency recorded the highest level of seven on the country's seismic intensity scale in the hardest-hit area. The initial shock was followed by strong aftershocks, including one reported at magnitude 6.1. Officials continued assessing damage across Kumamoto and neighboring parts of Kyushu, while the Fire and Disaster Management Agency compiled casualty reports from local authorities.
Rescuers concentrated on an Aeon shopping center where part of the building collapsed and an explosion believed to be connected to a gas leak followed the shaking. A large chimney also collapsed at a paper factory, while houses and other structures sustained damage. Kyodo News reported damage to stone walls at Kumamoto Castle, which was already undergoing repairs after the deadly 2016 earthquakes in the region.
About 36,900 homes remained without electricity and roughly 9,500 lacked gas, chief government spokesman Minoru Kihara said. Communications were unavailable in some areas, bullet train services and some airport operations remained suspended, and more than 9,000 people had moved into over 500 shelters. Authorities were adding power supplies so evacuation centers could operate air conditioning during the summer heat.
The earthquake renewed attention on the seismic exposure of Kyushu, where the 2016 Kumamoto sequence killed at least 50 people and caused extensive damage. Wednesday's toll remained provisional as teams searched unstable structures and officials examined transport links, utilities and public buildings. The central priority was locating survivors, restoring essential services and protecting evacuees while aftershocks continued to pose a risk.
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