Explosion at Japan Mall After 7.1 Quake Kills Three, Four Missing

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake in Kumamoto, southern Japan, was followed by a catastrophic explosion at a major shopping mall on Tuesday, resulting in multiple fatalities and an ongoing rescue operation. Mall operator Aeon confirmed that four of its store workers remain unaccounted for following the blast, which occurred about an hour after the initial quake.

The Disaster Unfolds

The earthquake struck on Tuesday, prompting staff at the prefecture's largest mall to evacuate more than 200 shoppers and employees to a nearby parking lot. An hour later, a massive explosion tore through the building, collapsing sections of the structure and scattering debris.

First responders who entered the unstable wreckage early Wednesday recovered eight people, three of whom were confirmed dead, according to reports. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the rescue effort as a "race against time," with around 170 soldiers deployed to the site. Some customers may have re-entered the building before the explosion, Kyodo news agency reported, citing witnesses.

Gas Leak Suspected

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Investigators are examining a potential gas leak as the cause of the explosion. Rescue workers reported smelling gas at the scene, government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said at a press conference. The mall utilizes liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is stored in canisters rather than supplied by a pipeline.

While gas systems in Japan are designed with safety protocols to automatically shut off supply during significant seismic activity, the investigation will likely focus on the integrity of the mall's LPG infrastructure following the powerful tremor. Aeon has not commented on its specific gas supplier or safety systems but issued a statement expressing its condolences.

A History of Seismic Events

Ironically, the mall had just reopened last month following a major redevelopment designed to improve its resilience to earthquakes. The facility was badly damaged in the magnitude 7.3 Kumamoto earthquake in April 2016, and its operator had since highlighted the building's seismically reinforced ceilings and other safety enhancements. Despite these upgrades, one worker told the Yomiuri newspaper that Tuesday's quake was strong enough to bring him to his knees.