Powerful Earthquake Hits Southern Japan, Leaving Victims Trapped and Thousands Without Power

KUMAMOTO, Japan — A powerful earthquake struck Japan's southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday afternoon, causing widespread destruction, trapping people inside a damaged shopping mall, disrupting transportation networks and electricity supplies, and prompting authorities to deploy thousands of troops as rescue operations continued.

The 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck at approximately 4:27 p.m. local time, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, with its epicentre located roughly 20 kilometres south of Kumamoto, the largest city in central Kyushu.

Officials said the full extent of the disaster was still being assessed as emergency crews searched damaged buildings amid continuing aftershocks.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had established an emergency task force and ordered the deployment of approximately 3,600 members of Japan's Self-Defense Forces to assist local authorities.