A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck parts of Japan on Monday, causing widespread panic and significant damage after a shopping mall partially collapsed, trapping several people beneath the rubble. Emergency responders rushed to the scene as rescue operations got underway.
The strong tremor was felt across several cities, forcing residents to flee homes, offices and public buildings. Authorities said emergency teams were deployed immediately to search for survivors and assess the extent of the destruction.
Rescue workers used heavy equipment and search dogs to locate people believed to be trapped inside the collapsed shopping complex, while ambulances transported the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Japanese officials urged residents to remain alert as aftershocks were expected following the major quake. Authorities also warned people to stay away from damaged buildings until structural safety inspections were completed.
The earthquake disrupted transportation services, with some train operations temporarily suspended while roads in affected areas were inspected for damage. Power outages were also reported in parts of the affected region.
Government officials said disaster response agencies had been mobilised to support rescue efforts, provide emergency assistance and monitor the situation as more information became available.
Japan, one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, has some of the strictest building standards and emergency response systems designed to reduce casualties during major seismic events.
Authorities said search and rescue operations would continue until everyone trapped in the collapsed structure had been accounted for, while investigations into the full impact of the earthquake remained ongoing.