Tokyo: A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan on Tuesday, causing widespread damage and the partial collapse of a shopping mall, with authorities fearing that more than 50 people may be trapped under the debris.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the earthquake struck at 4:27 pm local time and had its epicentre at a depth of around 10 kilometres.
The second floor of a shopping mall in Kashima reportedly collapsed following the strong tremors. Initial reports said several people were injured, while rescue teams launched a large-scale search operation to locate those feared trapped beneath the rubble.
A tsunami warning was issued immediately after the earthquake but was withdrawn about an hour later after officials assessed there was no significant threat.
As a precaution, authorities advised more than 150,000 residents on Kyushu Island to move to evacuation centres and relief shelters.
Footage broadcast by public broadcaster NHK showed cracked roads and bridges, damaged buildings and fires in several areas affected by the quake.
Emergency response teams remain engaged in rescue operations as officials continue to assess the extent of the damage and casualties.
