Japanese mall explodes after magnitude 6.8 earthquake; rescuers search for survivors

A powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Japan's southern Kyushu island on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, causing significant damage and triggering an explosion at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto. The seismic event, which the Japan Meteorological Agency reported as 7.1 magnitude, led to widespread disruption, including power outages, damaged roads, and collapsed buildings in the Kumamoto prefecture. Authorities issued an immediate tsunami warning, which was later lifted.

Following the initial quake, a suspected gas explosion ripped through the Aeon Mall, where rescuers have since been conducting extensive search and rescue operations for survivors. While many shoppers and employees had evacuated after the earthquake, some staff members were reportedly still inside when the blast occurred, leading to a partial collapse of the structure.

As of Wednesday, July 29, 2026, reports indicate at least 13 to 18 fatalities, with several people confirmed dead at the mall and others in different locations, and multiple individuals remain unaccounted for. Numerous injuries, exceeding 50, have also been reported. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has stressed the urgency of the rescue efforts, calling it a "race against time" as aftershocks continue to complicate operations and around 300,000 residents were advised to evacuate.