News.am — A powerful earthquake in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture has left more than 100 people injured and one person dead under the rubble of a collapsed house. Seismic activity in the south of Kyushu Island has caused severe destruction, including damage to roads and bridges, building collapses, and power outages for tens of thousands of homes.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located about 20 kilometers south of Kumamoto city, with the intensity of the tremors rated at the maximum level of 7 on the Japanese scale. Authorities have ordered the evacuation of approximately 300,000 people, as the danger persists.
The most critical situation was reported at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto, where an explosion occurred following the strong tremors, causing significant damage to a section of the building. Rescue teams have urgently launched search operations in the rubble, hoping to find survivors among the staff. One of the main theories regarding the incident is a possible gas leak, but specialists are still investigating the actual causes.
Meteorologists have warned that the risk of landslides and further powerful tremors remains high over the coming week. More than 60 aftershocks, reaching a magnitude of 4, have already been recorded since the main quake. The transport system is partially paralyzed; rail service has been suspended, and Kumamoto Airport has temporarily closed its runway.
Major companies operating in the region, such as Sony and TSMC, have evacuated their employees for safety reasons. The event has stirred painful memories for Kyushu Island, as a devastating earthquake ten years ago claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed numerous structures.
