"Strong Earthquake Causes Partial Collapse of Kyushu Shopping Mall... Many Reportedly Trapped Inside"

"Some Injured Transported to Hospital"
"Fatalities Not Yet Confirmed"
Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "No Reported Korean Casualties"

On July 28, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near Uki City in western Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan, leading to reports of damage, including the partial collapse of a large shopping mall.

According to NHK and other local media outlets on the same day, a major shopping mall called Aeon Mall in Kashima-machi, Kumamoto City, experienced a partial collapse of its roof and walls around 6 p.m., accompanied by an explosive sound believed to have been triggered by the earthquake.

Part of a large shopping mall has collapsed due to a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that occurred in western Kyushu, Kumamoto, Japan. Yonhap News Agency.

The Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that the second floor of this shopping mall had collapsed, trapping many people. NHK reported that some injured individuals are being transported to hospitals, although there are no confirmed fatalities at this time.

The mall was open for business at the time, but all shoppers were evacuated outside immediately after the earthquake. It is reported that approximately 200 people took shelter in the outdoor parking lot. A restaurant employee near the mall told NHK, "After hearing a loud bang, we saw an enormous cloud of dust rise from the direction of the mall."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, spokesperson for the Japanese government, stated at a press conference that the authorities are currently assessing the damage related to the mall incident. The seismic intensity observed in Kashima-machi is estimated to be 5 Lower or higher on the Japan Meteorological Agency scale, but the exact figure is still being determined.

An intensity of 5 Lower means most people feel fear due to shaking, and dishes on shelves or books on bookcases may fall. The local police told NHK that they are working to gather information about the injured.

According to the Japanese government and NHK, at least 50 people had been transported for treatment as of 6 p.m. to a regional medical center in Hikawa-machi, Kumamoto Prefecture, where the shaking reached magnitude 7 on the intensity scale. In addition, about 10 people at a nursing facility in Hikawa-machi were injured after falling or tipping out of their wheelchairs and were subsequently transported to receive medical care.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that there have been no reported casualties among Koreans in connection with the Kumamoto earthquake as of now, adding, "We will continue to monitor the situation closely and work to determine whether any nationals have been affected."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.