- Powerful earthquake strikes Kumamoto prefecture in Japan.
- The Aeon mall destroyed in the explosion had just reopened last month as a new and improved shopping and entertainment complex to commemorate its recovery from a deadly tremor a decade ago.
- About an hour after the earthquake, a powerful explosion blew the walls off the mall, exposing large parts of the underlying structure.
- About 200 people had been guided outside to safety during the evacuation before the explosion.
- Some 20 to 30 employees at the mall were still unaccounted for after the explosion.
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, on July 28, 2026, leading to a devastating explosion that destroyed the Aeon mall. This mall had recently reopened in June after extensive renovations following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake that had severely damaged it.2
The Aeon mall, which had undergone a significant redevelopment to enhance safety and resilience, was a symbol of recovery for the region. It had been closed for months after the 7.3 magnitude earthquake in April 2016, and its reopening was celebrated as a fresh start, coinciding with the 21st anniversary of its original opening and the 10th anniversary of the region's recovery.
On the day of the earthquake, about 200 people were evacuated to safety, but reports indicate that 20 to 30 employees remain unaccounted for. The explosion occurred about an hour after the earthquake, causing significant structural damage to the mall, which had been a popular destination, attracting over 8 million visitors annually since the opening of a nearby TSMC factory in 2024.45
Authorities are currently assessing the damage and searching for those unaccounted for, as the community grapples with the aftermath of this latest disaster.
“About 200 people were guided outside to safety during the evacuation before the explosion, according to prefectural authorities. However, some 20 to 30 employees at the mall remain unaccounted for, raising concerns about their safety following the incident.”
