Dozens feared trapped in mall after major quake rocks Japan’s Kumamoto
TSMC, Sony and Fujifilm evacuate plants after magnitude-7.1 temblor An Aeon mall in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture was damaged in an earthquake on July 28, with authorities saying many people could be trapped inside. © Kyodo TOKYO -- Around 20 to 30 people are feared trapped inside a mall in Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto after a magnitude-7.1 earthquake triggered an explosion and caused part of the building to collapse on Tuesday afternoon. The explosion occurred at Aeon Mall Kumamoto in the town of Kashima after customers were evacuated, major Japanese retailer Aeon reported. Police sources said employees were among those who may still be inside the complex. Aeon said it was investigating the cause of the explosion and the extent of the damage. The earthquake struck around 4:27 p.m. at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported. It registered the maximum intensity of 7 on Japan's seismic scale in the city of Uki and the town of Hikawa. Shaking of such intensity can tilt or topple buildings with low seismic resistance. Strong aftershocks continued for hours afterward, with four quakes measuring lower 5 or above recorded by 8 p.m.
