Japan has been rocked by a monster earthquake. Reports have cited the natural disaster as being a magnitude 6.8. The earthquake struck Kumamoto.
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Unfortunately, the quake caused widespread damage. The second floor of the Aeon Mall shopping center in Kahima Town collapsed. An unknown number of people have reportedly been trapped as a result. Rescue operations are already underway.
"Mall operator Aeon said customers were being evacuated and it was still assessing the situation," The Independent has reported.
The earthquake took place just after 4:30 pm local time. Footage that has surfaced online following the quake shows the widespread devastation that has been caused.
"Buildings are on fire, bridges are collapsed, trains and cars are derailed and lying on their sides, and a shopping center exploded," TMZ has reported.
Earthquakes are commonplace in Japan. However, the strength of the one that struck Kumamoto is rare. Currently, there's limited reporting regarding the death toll following the quake. However, that information will undoubtedly become public knowledge in the coming days, and unfortunately, will likely be subject to rise.
For now, rescue services will undoubtedly prioritize rescuing those who have become trapped in collapsed structures throughout the city.
A Tsunami Warning Has Been Issued by the Japanese Prime Minister
Following the earthquake, a tsunami warning was issued by Sanae Takaichi, the Prime Minister of Japan. The Independent reports that over 300,000 people have been advised to evacuate following a string of aftershocks.
"Some 300,000 people have been told to go to evacuation centers today as aftershocks continued on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu," the outlet reports. "Hundreds of soldiers were deployed to help as rescue operations continue."
The tsunami warning was reportedly lifted around 6:30 pm local time.
"Following the powerful earthquake, a tsunami advisory was temporarily issued but was lifted within two hours, the Japan Meteorological Agency said," The Independent shared.
However, the risk likely still remains, especially as aftershocks continue to rock the city. The hope now, is that rescue services can help as many people as possible to ensure the damage from the quake remains cosmetic, and the cost of life remains relatively low.
