Japan earthquake injures at least 100 and traps many inside shopping mall

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan's Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday afternoon, leaving a trail of destruction and devastation. At least 100 people were injured in the disaster, with many more feared trapped inside a shopping mall that partially collapsed. The quake knocked out power to thousands of homes and damaged roads, bridges and buildings, prompting Japan's disaster management agency to instruct around 300,000 people to evacuate to designated centres.

Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has appealed to residents to take necessary precautions to protect themselves, including evacuating to safe locations. Authorities are currently assessing the full extent of the damage, with a focus on rescue efforts and search operations for those trapped or presumed dead. The areas affected by the quake are at risk of further strong quakes and landslides in the coming days, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

One person was confirmed killed in a house collapse in south-west Japan, while numerous others were injured in various incidents throughout the region. Over 60 aftershocks have followed the initial quake, with multiple hospitals reporting high numbers of injured patients, including those with serious conditions. Rescue teams were seen searching for survivors outside the Aeon shopping mall, where an explosion occurred and many people are feared trapped. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, although officials suspect a gas leak may have been a contributing factor.