Earthquake in Japan: reported dead in shopping center, collapsed bridge and train derailed
Kyiv • UNN
In Kumamoto city, after a powerful earthquake, the Aeon Mall shopping center collapsed, confirming the deaths of several people. A train also derailed at Yatsushiro station, a bridge collapsed, and part of Kumamoto Castle collapsed.
"Several deaths" confirmed in collapsed shopping mall after powerful earthquake in southern Japan, reports UNN citing Sky News.
Details
Local TV channel Fuji TV reports several people dead in a shopping mall that collapsed in Kumamoto, where the earthquake occurred.
Earlier, Kumamoto police reported that "quite a few" people are believed dead after an explosion at a shopping mall in the city, local TV channel reported.
Firefighters report that part of the second floor of the Aeon Mall shopping center collapsed after the explosion, leaving many people trapped inside, reports Japanese news agency NHK.
Video footage taken from an NHK helicopter shows parts of the shopping mall's exterior walls have collapsed, exposing what appears to be the building's framework.
Emergency services worked to free people trapped inside the shopping mall that collapsed after the earthquake.
Additionally, local media report that a train derailed and fell on its side during the earthquake in Kumamoto. According to Kyodo news agency, the incident occurred at Yatsushiro Station.
Aerial photographs shown by state news resources also showed a bridge collapse during the earthquake.
Shinkansen bullet train and local train services on Kyushu were suspended for safety checks, and the runway at Aso Kumamoto Airport was closed.
The earthquake also caused part of the stone walls of Kumamoto Castle to collapse.
The hilltop structure dates back to 1467 and is considered one of Japan's three main castles, known nationwide for its black color.
Its distinctive curved stone walls were designed to prevent attackers from entering the castle. Stone drops were also used as a deterrent.