A powerful earthquake in Kumamoto, Japan, has torn through a shopping mall, leaving debris scattered up to 50 metres away, according to a report by the South Korean outlet 한겨레.
The outlet described the scene as resembling a bombing, with the structure ripped apart by the force of the quake. The extent of injuries or casualties at the mall has not been detailed in the report.
The earthquake has also disrupted industrial operations across the region. According to a report from v.daum.net, multiple factories have halted production as a result of the shaking. The full economic impact on Japan's industrial sector is still being assessed.
South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has convened a meeting to review the situation, KBS News reported. The ministry stated it is working to ensure the safety of South Korean nationals in the affected area and is preparing countermeasures.
Seismologists are warning that stronger aftershocks could follow. The head of Japan's Earthquake Research Committee has advised residents to prepare for possible major quakes within the next two to three days, according to 경기일보. YTN also reported concerns that the current event could be a precursor to a larger earthquake, recalling the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes that struck a decade ago.
Authorities and residents remain on high alert as the region braces for potential further seismic activity.
