- A 7.1-magnitude quake hit Kumamoto, resulting in at least 34 deaths, according to authorities.
- On Wednesday, with permission from the fire service, police, and the mall operator, 25 cats were safely rescued from the damaged mall.
- The rescued cats were transported to Hiroshima for care, arriving around 10:00 pm (1300 GMT) the same day.
- The earthquake caused significant damage, with seven bodies found at the mall.
- An online article about the cats' rescue garnered 7.9 million views on social media.
- "We were concerned about fatigue from the long journey from Kumamoto, but after arriving we provided individual care for each of them," said the cat cafe operator.
- "If possible, I hope they won't be sent back to the cat cafe, but instead find them adoptive homes where they can live a safe and secure life surrounded by love," said a user on Instagram.
- "People say human lives come first, but human lives and cat lives are both equally precious... I'm glad everyone's safe," said another user on Instagram.
Twenty-five cats were rescued from the devastated Aeon mall in Kumamoto, Japan, after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck on Tuesday, resulting in at least 34 fatalities. The cats were located in Cat Cafe MOFF when the quake hit, prompting a swift rescue operation.
With the help of the fire service and police, the manager of MOFF entered the damaged mall on Wednesday and successfully retrieved all the cats, who were reported to be unharmed. The animals were then transported to a cat cafe in Hiroshima, where they received individual care upon arrival.3
An online article detailing the cats' rescue went viral, amassing 7.9 million views on X, sparking a mix of relief and criticism on social media. One user expressed, “People say human lives come first, but human lives and cat lives are both equally precious... I'm glad everyone's safe,” while another hoped the cats would find adoptive homes instead of returning to the cafe.58
Despite the joy surrounding the cats' rescue, some criticized the focus on animals amid the human tragedy, noting that seven bodies were discovered in the mall. The incident highlights the complex emotions surrounding disaster responses, where both human and animal lives are valued.4
“The earthquake, which struck on Tuesday, has left at least 34 people dead, with seven bodies found in the mall. An online article about the cats' rescue gained significant attention, amassing 7.9 million views on X, highlighting the public's emotional response amid the tragedy.”
