Five Dead as Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Strikes Japan's Kyushu, Two Bodies Found in Mall Rubble

The Japanese government has reported that the death toll from a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto, on the island of Kyushu, has risen to five. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said two bodies were found inside a severely damaged shopping centre, while the other three victims were located elsewhere in the Kumamoto region. The quake also caused widespread power outages affecting thousands of homes.

Rescue teams worked through the night to evacuate eight people from the Aeon Mall Kumamoto following the tremor. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that the earthquake occurred on Tuesday at around 4:27 p.m. local time and registered the highest level, 7, on the country’s Shindo seismic intensity scale. A JMA spokesperson confirmed that no tsunami activity had been observed and that the agency hoped to lift any tsunami advisories at an early stage depending on sea surface conditions.