A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto, Japan, on Tuesday, causing significant damage to one of the region’s largest shopping centers, Kumamoto’s Aeon mall. Shortly after the quake, an explosion tore through the mall, exposing steel beams and sending debris flying across the parking lot.

Thousands of shoppers and store employees were quickly evacuated by staff. Aeon President Akio Yoshida stated at a news conference on Wednesday, July 30th, 2026, that staff evacuated 3,000 shoppers within half an hour after the quake hit.

Workers in and around the mall described being thrown to the ground and enveloped in a disorienting cloud of dust caused by the explosion. Takateru Sonoda, 41, who runs a combined hair salon and cafe near the mall, told news agency Jiji Press, “I thought a bomb had gone off.”

The status of three shop workers remains unknown, with Aeon investigating a possible gas leak as a potential cause of the explosion.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized on Wednesday that it is a “race against time” to rescue those trapped in the mall and others affected by the quake.

In a social media post, the owner of a cat cafe inside the mall confirmed that all 25 cats left behind during the hasty evacuation were rescued, thanking rescue workers for their efforts.

The Aeon mall had previously suffered severe damage during the magnitude 7.3 Kumamoto earthquake in April 2016. Since then, the operator has highlighted seismically reinforced ceilings and overall safety improvements to enhance resilience against future quakes.

Sources