A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu Tuesday afternoon, causing a partial collapse at Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima. Police report 20 to 30 people unaccounted for, with over 50 injuries at one hospital. Aerial photos show the mall's exterior wall destroyed and framework exposed.

The quake also derailed a high-speed train at Yatsushiro station and collapsed a chimney at Nippon Paper Industries' factory, leaving several missing. All flights from Aso Kumamoto Airport were canceled, though operations may resume Wednesday. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi established a task force, urging vigilance for aftershocks over the next week and prioritizing life-saving efforts.

A tsunami advisory for Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas was lifted within two hours. The Sendai Nuclear Power Plant, 100 km from the epicenter, reported no damage or safety issues, per the IAEA. Kumamoto Castle's 1607 walls also collapsed. The 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes killed 275 people, highlighting the region's seismic vulnerability.