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TOKYO: A powerful earthquake struck Japan on Tuesday, partially collapsing a multi-storey shopping mall and trapping numerous people inside, while dozens were injured across the country, authorities said.
According to Japanese officials, at least 50 injured people have been taken to hospitals for treatment.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanaye Takachi said a building in the country’s northwestern region caught fire following the earthquake.
Footage broadcast by public broadcaster NHK showed fires breaking out at several locations on Kyushu, Japan’s main southern island. The earthquake also damaged several bridges, derailed a freight train and caused cracks in roads in different areas.
NHK reported that at least 12 houses had collapsed as a result of the quake.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the earthquake, measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale, struck at 4:27pm local time. However, the US Geological Survey (USGS) measured its magnitude at 6.8.
A tsunami warning was issued for coastal areas immediately after the quake but was lifted several hours later.
“We are still assessing the number of casualties and the extent of damage to infrastructure,” Prime Minister Takachi said. “We have already received reports of several injuries. Some areas have experienced power outages and fires, while bridges, roads and several buildings have been damaged or collapsed.”
The second floor of a shopping mall in the city of Kashima partially collapsed, leaving many people trapped inside, according to the fire service.
Earlier, police said they had received reports of an explosion-like sound from the Aeon Shopping Mall in Kashima, although there were initially no confirmed reports of casualties or damage.
Rescue teams are continuing search and recovery operations at the site.
Source: CBS News
