According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, an explosion occurred at the “AEON Mall Kumamoto” shopping complex in Kashima Town, Kumamoto Prefecture. The second floor collapsed, trapping many people, and firefighters are rushing to rescue them. A taxi driver who witnessed the explosion described the situation at the time, saying, “I thought the windshield was going to shatter.”
■ “AEON Mall Kumamoto” Explosion: Second Floor Collapses AEON Mall Kumamoto is located in Kashima Town, adjacent to Kumamoto City. Reporter: “The building has completely collapsed. There are cars parked outside the premises, and large pieces of debris have been scattered onto the cars as well.” According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, an explosion occurred at “AEON Mall Kumamoto,” causing the second floor to collapse, trapping many people, and firefighters are rushing to rescue them. AEON says that “the exact time of the explosion is unknown.”
The earthquake occurred around 4:30 p.m., but employees and customers were evacuated from the facility immediately after the earthquake. This is footage from just before 6 p.m. You can see that the entire area is covered in smoke. A taxi driver who was nearby said: “Around 5:45 p.m., there was a sudden bang, like the air expanding and bursting.
I was waiting about 30 meters from where the outer wall was blown off. I thought the windshield of my car was going to shatter. The inside of the car was filled with dust and became completely white.” Takahiro Inoue, newscaster: “The area of the AEON Mall Kumamoto that was particularly hard hit by the explosion was around the equipment loading entrance. Debris was scattered as far as the main road about 30 meters away, making it impossible for cars to pass. We were able to see one emergency ambulance stopped during the live broadcast, but since the road leading to AEON Mall Kumamoto is cut off, I think it will be difficult for them to get close to the mall to take a detour or to conduct rescue operations.
The loading entrance, which is far from the entrance where customers enter, was particularly badly damaged, with debris flying everywhere due to the explosion. It is thought that there are many people trapped inside, and rescue operations have not yet been able to begin.” ▼TBS NEWS DIG Official Website
At approximately 4:27 PM on the 28th, an earthquake struck the Kumamoto region of Kumamoto Prefecture, registering a maximum seismic intensity of 7. We will report on the damage known so far, including live coverage from central Kumamoto City. (From “news zero” broadcast on July 28, 2026)
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 7 was observed in Uki City and Hikawa Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, at around 4:27 p.m. on the 28th. There was a report of an “explosion sound” at “AEON Mall Kumamoto” in Kashima Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, and the fire department believes that several people may be trapped underneath.
According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, an explosion occurred at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping complex in Kashima Town, Kumamoto Prefecture. The second floor collapsed, trapping many people, and firefighters are rushing to rescue them. A male eyewitness described the situation at the time. ▼TBS NEWS DIG Official Website
ccording to police sources, there is information that 20 to 30 people are trapped inside Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, after a report of “an explosion-like sound” was heard. Police and firefighters are currently working on rescue efforts. (Broadcast on July 28, 2026
A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake strikes Kumamoto Prefecture with a focal depth of 10 kilometers. The Japan Meteorological Agency reports the maximum seismic intensity of 7 in Uki City and Hikawa Town.
