Major earthquake strikes southern Japan, leaves damage and missing people

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan’s southern Kyushu island on Tuesday, causing widespread damage, power outages, road disruptions, and injuries across Kumamoto prefecture and nearby areas. Authorities said some people were trapped inside a partially collapsed shopping mall, while others were initially reported missing after an explosion damaged the building. Officials were still assessing casualties, and rescue crews, including soldiers, were deployed as aftershocks continued. The quake prompted emergency warnings and a brief tsunami advisory, which was later lifted. Rail services were suspended, flights were disrupted, and tens of thousands of homes lost power. Japanese officials also said there were no reported problems at nearby nuclear power stations.