Magnitude 7.1 earthquake hits Japan, more than 50 people reported injured

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake on the southern island of Kyushu has caused fires, damage to roads and bridges, the collapse of buildings, and power outages, said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

NHK broadcaster said that more than 50 people were injured, while others may have been trapped under the rubble of the Aeon shopping center in the city of Kashima, where an explosion occurred after the earthquake.

 Following the magnitude-7.1 quake, which struck at around 4:27 p.m. local time in Kumamoto Prefecture, an explosion occurred at AEON Mall Kumamoto, a major shopping complex in Kashima Town in the prefecture.

According to Kumamoto Prefectural Police, the explosion is believed to have caused a large number of deaths, the report said. A police official said authorities expect "many fatalities," adding that it will take time to confirm the exact death toll.

Emergency response operations are continuing at the site as rescue workers search the damaged facility, the report said.

 Magnitude    6.8
Region    KYUSHU, JAPAN
Date time    2026-07-28 07:27:16.0 UTC
Location    32.674 ; 130.750
Depth    10 km
Distance    108 km SSE of Fukuoka, Japan / pop: 1,392,000 / local time: 16:27:16.0 2026-07-28
16 km SSE of Kumamoto, Japan / pop: 680,000 / local time: 16:27:16.0 2026-07-28