Dozens feared trapped in mall after major quake rocks Japan's Kumamoto

An Aeon mall in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture was damaged in an earthquake on July 28, with authorities saying many people could be trapped inside. © KyodoAKANE OKUTSUJuly 28, 2026 17:05 JSTUpdated on July 28, 2026 22:48 JSTTOKYO -- Around 20 to 30 people are feared trapped inside a mall in Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto after a magnitude-7.1 earthquake triggered an explosion and caused part of the building to collapse on Tuesday afternoon.The explosion occurred at Aeon Mall Kumamoto in the town of Kashima after customers were evacuated, major Japanese retailer Aeon reported. Police sources said employees were among those who may still be inside the complex. Aeon said it was investigating the cause of the explosion and the extent of the damage.The earthquake struck around 4:27 p