A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture in southern Japan on Tuesday, shaking the region hard enough to force thousands of people to evacuate. Early reports pointed to widespread damage as the shallow quake hit populated areas.
The earthquake also caused power outages, adding to disruption across the prefecture. Initial accounts said people were injured, though the full extent of casualties and structural damage was still emerging as authorities assessed the situation.
One of the most alarming developments was a reported explosion at a shopping mall following the quake. Several people were feared dead in connection with that incident, raising concerns about secondary hazards after the main tremor.
The quake is the latest reminder of Japan's exposure to strong seismic activity, especially when a shallow earthquake strikes near communities and infrastructure. With evacuations under way and damage reports still coming in, attention remained focused on rescue efforts and the scale of the impact in Kumamoto.
