Powerful Quake Hits Southern Japan, Triggering Collapses and Injuries
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southern Kumamoto prefecture on 28 July 2026, leaving dozens injured and raising fears that an unknown number of people remain trapped inside collapsed buildings. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned residents to remain on high alert for strong aftershocks and landslides for up to a week following the tremor.
Public broadcaster NHK reported that 20 to 30 employees at a shopping mall in Kumamoto city could not be reached after the building partially collapsed. Emergency services evacuated most customers once the quake hit, but authorities were investigating whether any shoppers were still unaccounted for. Police were working to confirm whether the missing employees were inside the structure.
Factory Workers and Train Passengers Affected
Separately, several workers at a Nippon paper factory were reported missing after the facility suffered extensive damage, including the collapse of at least one chimney. A company employee told NHK, “We are gathering information on whether there are any casualties, but we are concerned because we have not been able to make contact.” Emergency services were verifying those reports.
One hospital had received more than 50 injured people by the time of reporting, according to NHK. The Nikkei newspaper also reported that several passengers aboard a high-speed train traveling through the region were hurt when the earthquake struck. A highway bridge was seen buckling in footage from the area, and at least one other building was confirmed to have collapsed.
Residents Advised to Stay Alert for Aftershocks and Landslides
An official from the JMA urged residents in the areas that experienced the strongest shaking to remain vigilant for up to a week. The warning covered both the possibility of further strong aftershocks and the risk of landslides triggered by the initial quake. Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and regularly experiences seismic activity. Kumamoto prefecture was previously struck by devastating earthquakes in April 2016, when a sequence of tremors killed more than 50 people and destroyed thousands of homes.
Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Could Exceed 10,000
In related international news, back-to-back powerful earthquakes have killed at least 32 people, injured 700, and collapsed buildings in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. Many people were at home celebrating a national holiday when the quakes struck at 18:04 local time. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency following the incident. Rodriguez added that the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas is closed due to damage. As reported by BBC News, the US Geological Survey earlier calculated a 44% chance of more than 10,000 fatalities, and a 30% chance of more than 100,000.
