Horror footage has emerged showing people fleeing in fear after a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Japan. Tragedy struck at Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima City, Kyushu prefecture, where three mall workers lost their lives and three others are missing following the earthquake on Tuesday morning. Videos captured the chaotic scene as the shopping center was severely damaged, with a massive hole in its frontage.
Terrifying clips from inside the mall depicted the panic among individuals as they rushed to safety during the emergency. Another video revealed locals running for cover after an explosive gas leak was triggered by the earthquake. Rescuers reported a strong smell of gas inside the building, prompting urgent evacuation efforts.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation, with authorities confirming the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at the mall. Despite meeting updated seismic standards, the mall had suffered damage in a previous earthquake in 2016. Thousands of people were evacuated before the gas explosion occurred, affecting employees working in the area.
The earthquake and subsequent explosion have claimed 18 lives, including one foreigner, with 62 others injured, six of them seriously. Rescue operations are ongoing as emergency personnel search through the devastated mall and surrounding homes in southwestern Japan. Thousands of residents are without basic utilities, and many have sought refuge in shelters.
Aerial footage revealed widespread destruction in residential areas, with homes flattened and some even collapsing into nearby rivers. Japan’s Self Defense Forces and international assistance, including firefighters from Taiwan, are aiding in the rescue efforts. The death toll continues to rise, highlighting the devastating impact of the earthquake on the bustling mall and its surrounding community.