A devastating 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto in southern Japan, killing at least 13 and prompting a massive, ongoing rescue operation. Emergency efforts focus on the collapsed Aeon Mall in Kashima and Nippon Paper’s Yatsushiro plant, with authorities saying people remain in need of help more than a day after the quake. Rescuers have deployed about 4,600 personnel amid warnings of extreme heat, while evacuation centers shelter roughly 7,700 residents. The disaster caused structural damage to historic sites, including Kumamoto Castle and Yatsushiro Shrine, and prompted widespread corporate disruptions. Officials warn of continued aftershocks and expect a hot cleanup period, outlining next steps for recovery and support at the affected sites.
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The earthquake occurred in Kumamoto Prefecture with a magnitude of 6.8, triggering immediate search and rescue operations at the Aeon Mall in Kashima and the Nippon Paper factory in Yatsushiro, where people were reported missing or trapped.
Authorities confirmed 13 fatalities and noted that some victims were found in collapsed houses or at sites of the mall explosion, as rescue teams worked through rubble with the Self-Defence Forces involved.
Around 4,600 rescue personnel were deployed, including roughly 2,000 police and 1,000 fire service members, with more than 7,700 residents evacuated and about 450 evacuation centers in operation.
Aeon Mall said four people were missing after the quake and the mall’s 204 stores evacuated, expressing condolences to the families of those killed and pledging ongoing cooperation with authorities to locate the missing.
The region’s corporate operations were disrupted: Honda suspended Kumamoto motorcycle factory operations through Friday, while Sony and TSMC paused but began resuming activities in other western Kumamoto facilities, with TSMC reporting safe facilities and gradual restart after inspections.
Historic damage included the collapse of the 19th-century Yatshushiro Shrine worship hall and damage to Kumamoto Castle walls, underscoring widespread disruption beyond immediate rescue needs.
Officials warned of extreme heat during cleanup, predicting temperatures around 35C, and planned to dispatch 300 air-conditioning units to the hardest-hit areas to help maintain safe conditions for helpers and residents.