Nippon Paper Industries factory

Japan ended a dayslong search-and-rescue operation at the collapsed Aeon Mall in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake killed 34 people. The mall's collapse, caused by a gas leak explosion, trapped employees, with five rescued and seven bodies recovered. Rescue efforts concluded as all missing were accounted for, but challenges like water shortages and extreme heat persist.

Japan ended a multi-day search-and-rescue operation at a collapsed Aeon Mall in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake killed 34 people. Five were rescued and seven bodies recovered over five days, with officials confirming all missing individuals accounted for. The mall collapse followed an explosion likely caused by a gas leak, and ongoing challenges include water shortages, heatwaves, and damaged infrastructure.

Japanese authorities ended a five-day search-and-rescue operation at the collapsed Aeon Mall in Kashima, Kumamoto, following a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that killed 34 people. The mall's second floor collapsed due to an explosion from a suspected gas leak, resulting in five survivors rescued and seven bodies recovered. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged teams to 'not leave anyone behind' as challenges like water shortages and extreme heat impacted over 70,000 homes.