Kumamoto - An explosion at Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, caused part of the second floor to collapse, leaving many people feared trapped as firefighters rushed to begin rescue operations.
The shopping complex is located in Kashima, which borders Kumamoto City. Large sections of the building had collapsed, while substantial pieces of debris were thrown beyond the mall grounds and struck vehicles parked nearby.
According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, the explosion caused the second-floor section of the mall to cave in. Numerous people were believed to be trapped inside, and firefighters were working to rescue them.
Aeon said the precise time of the explosion had not been confirmed.
A powerful earthquake struck the area at around 4:30 p.m. on July 28. Aeon said employees and customers were evacuated from the facility immediately after the earthquake.
Footage recorded shortly before 6 p.m. showed the surrounding area covered in smoke.
A taxi driver who witnessed the explosion said he had been waiting about 30 meters from the exterior wall that was blown away when the blast occurred at around 5:45 p.m. "There was suddenly a bang, as though the air had expanded and burst," the driver said. "I thought the car's windshield was going to shatter. The inside of the car filled with dust and turned completely white."
The worst damage appeared to be concentrated around an equipment delivery entrance at Aeon Mall Kumamoto, away from the entrances normally used by customers.
Debris from the explosion was scattered as far as a major road about 30 meters away, making it impossible for vehicles to pass.
An emergency vehicle could be seen stopped near the scene, but roads leading toward the mall had been cut off, making it difficult for rescue crews to approach even by taking alternative routes.
The delivery entrance suffered particularly severe damage, with fragments from the explosion scattered across the surrounding area.
Many people were reported to remain trapped inside, and the blocked access routes raised concerns that rescue teams had not yet been able to reach all parts of the collapsed building.
Source: TBS
