A strong earthquake struck southern Japan on Tuesday afternoon, causing significant damage across Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu and triggering a large-scale emergency response. The magnitude 6.8 quake, which occurred at 4:27 p.m. local time, resulted in at least 13 confirmed deaths, over 100 reported injuries, and left numerous people unaccounted for, primarily following the collapse of a shopping mall.

The epicenter was located near the city of Uki, about 10 kilometers deep, a relatively shallow depth that contributed to intense ground shaking. The Japan Meteorological Agency recorded the quake’s intensity near level 7 on its seismic scale, the highest rating, indicating widespread destruction including collapsed buildings, fractured roadways, and landslides. Several aftershocks, some strong, have been recorded since, with warnings issued for potential further tremors and secondary hazards such as landslides over the coming week.

One of the most affected sites was the Aeon shopping mall in the town of Kashima, where the collapse of the second floor followed an apparent explosion. Emergency services have been conducting ongoing search and rescue operations to free people trapped under rubble, particularly mall employees and shoppers who remain missing. Eyewitnesses described a large plume of smoke and dust enveloping the area like volcanic ash. While employees and customers were reportedly evacuated immediately after the initial quake, local fire authorities and hospital spokespeople highlighted the critical situation, with one hospital at full capacity treating numerous fracture and trauma cases.

The earthquake also caused widespread infrastructural damage, including the collapse of a chimney at a paper factory where workers were reported missing, damage to motorways and bridges—with one section of a bridge falling into a river—and power outages affecting approximately 40,000 to 50,000 homes. High-speed train services, including bullet trains, were suspended, and a freight train derailed without casualties. Kumamoto Castle, a notable historic landmark still under reconstruction from earlier earthquakes, suffered significant wall collapses.

The region’s semiconductor industry, a key economic sector centered on facilities such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), was also impacted. TSMC confirmed that employees were safely evacuated and initial inspections showed no structural damage to their plant, allowing gradual resumption of operations. Other technology companies, including Sony’s semiconductor unit, reported safe evacuation of staff and were conducting assessments.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed condolences and emphasized the government’s commitment to prioritizing rescue efforts, damage assessment, and providing aid to those affected. Over 260,000 people across Kumamoto and neighboring Nagasaki Prefecture have been advised to evacuate or relocate to safe shelters as 3,600 members of the Self-Defense Forces have been deployed to assist in relief operations.

This earthquake comes just over ten years after a series of devastating tremors struck Kumamoto in 2016, resulting in nearly 280 deaths and extensive regional damage. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared for further seismic activity.