On the afternoon of July 28, 2026, a powerful earthquake shook southwestern Japan. The earthquake, which happened about six miles below Kumamoto Prefecture, was very strong. It caused violent shaking in an area that is used to earthquakes.
After the shaking, a large explosion happened at a local mall called Aeon Mall. People heard a loud noise and saw smoke. The explosion was so strong that the second floor of the mall collapsed. Mall workers had already helped shoppers leave when the earthquake started. However, about 20 to 30 people, mostly workers, were still inside and were trapped under the fallen building. Officials confirmed that several people died in the collapse, and rescue teams are still searching.
The earthquake and explosion caused widespread damage. In Kumamoto Prefecture, at least 50 injured people were taken to hospitals. About 300,000 people were told to leave their homes and go to shelters. Also, 40,000 to 48,000 homes lost electricity.
Roads and buildings were also damaged. Many houses were destroyed, and fires started in Yatsushiro City. Parts of the Kyushu Expressway were damaged, and the Kumamoto Airport was closed. Train services, including the Shinkansen, were stopped for safety checks. A cargo train was even thrown off its tracks.
Important places were also affected. A smokestack at a factory in Yatsushiro partially fell down, and some workers are missing. The historic Kumamoto Castle also had damage to its walls.
This disaster is especially hard for the people because a similar earthquake happened in the same area in April 2016, killing over 50 people. The government is responding to the crisis, and the military has sent troops to help with rescue efforts. Although tsunami warnings were canceled, officials warn that strong aftershocks could still happen.