Recap
Here is a summary of the events overnight:
- A major magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck Japan on Tuesday evening, toppling buildings and sparking fires
- One of the sites of most concern is an Aeon Mall shopping centre in Kumamoto, in Japan's south, where authorities have said a "considerable number" of people are feared dead
- As night fell on Tuesday, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported 10 people were unaccounted for in the mall
- Multiple people were also unaccounted for at a factory in Yatsushiro city, where the tip of a chimney fell down, NHK reported
- One person was killed when a house collapsed, Kyodo reported.
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Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 8:37am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 8:37am
Hospitals report influx of patients
The Kumamoto prefectural government says rescuers working at the scene of the Aeon Mall collapse overnight have taken eight people out of the rubble.
(Reuters: Kyodo)Of those eight, two women in their 20s were confirmed dead, while another was reported to be in cardiopulminary arrest.
The five others were injured but their conditions were not life-threatening.
Two hospitals reported taking in at least 50 injured patients each, public broadcaster NHK said.
"People are coming in with burns and fractures from being trapped under objects due to the earthquake, and ambulances are constantly bringing in injured people," NHK quoted one hospital employee as saying.
"Inside the hospital, there are water leaks and electrical system failures."
The broadcaster also said that around 10 people were hurt at a nursing home for the elderly.
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 8:07am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 8:07am
'Like volcanic ash was falling'
By Elissa Fitzgerald
One side of the Aeon Mall was torn away in an explosion that occured after the quake.
A spokesperson for mall operator Aeon 8267.T said the exact cause of the ensuing blast was unclear. Authorities are investigating a possible gas explosion, broadcaster NTV has reported.
Kazuya Tsurunaga told news channel TBS he was stunned by the blast while cleaning up dishes broken by the earthquake inside a pub about 300 metres from the mall.
"It was a huge impact," he said.
"A large cloud of smoke billowed up, and because the wind happened to be blowing and the wind direction was towards the shop, the area around us was in a state like volcanic ash was falling."
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:45am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:45am
Is there a tsunami risk?
By Elissa Fitzgerald
Is it possible that a tsunami to hit any area in japan
- Abc
Good morning and thank you for your question.
A tsunami advisory was issued in the aftermath of the quake, but that was quickly lifted.
Tsunamis occur when earthquakes displace large amounts of ocean water.
How much of the sea floor moves influences whether a tsunami is formed, and how big it might become.
I took a closer look at how tsunamis are formed in July last year after Russia was hit by a magnitude-8.8 quake. You can read the story via the link below.
Key Event
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:33am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:33am
Two dead at Aeon Mall
By Elissa Fitzgerald
Two women have been confirmed dead after the Aeon Mall in Kumamoto collapsed, Japan's public broadcaster NHK is reporting, citing local officials.
Three other people were in a state of cardiopulminary arrest, it said, including two at a factory in Yatsushiro, where a smokestack collapsed.
Key Event
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:19am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:19am
📹: The moment an explosion ripped through Kumamoto's Aeon Mall
By Elissa Fitzgerald
Dashcam video captured the moment an explosion occurred at the Aeon Mall yesterday.
Key Event
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:02am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:02am
Where is the Kumamoto Prefecture?
By Elissa Fitzgerald
The earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan's south island of Kyushu.
Key Event
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 6:41am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 6:41am
📸: Rescue workers conduct search operation at Aeon Mall
By Elissa Fitzgerald
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 6:30am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 6:30am
Good morning
By Elissa Fitzgerald
Emergency responders are searching for people feared trapped in rubble after a magnitude-7.1 earthquake toppled buildings and sparked fires in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture.
Overnight, public broadcaster TBS reported a "considerable number" of people were feared dead inside an Aeon Mall in Kashima after its second floor collapsed.
Regional officials said they believed 10 people were unaccounted for in the mall, public broadcaster NHK reported.
Stay with us through the morning as we bring you the latest updates.
