JAPAN EARTHQUAKE: Kumamoto Castle Damaged as 7.1 Magnitude Quake Jolts Japan | Times Now World

A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan's southern island of Kyushu, leaving at least 13 people dead and dozens injured or missing across Kumamoto prefecture. The shallow quake triggered a brief tsunami advisory, widespread power outages, and catastrophic structural failures, including the collapse of a paper factory smokestack in Yatsushiro and the partial destruction of historic Kumamoto Castle. Emergency crews and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel rushed to Kashima Town, where a gas explosion caused the second floor of the Aeon Mall to collapse, trapping shoppers under tons of concrete and twisted metal. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed emergency response teams have deployed nationwide as disaster agencies order more than 260,000 residents to evacuate amid ongoing aftershocks. #japan #japanearthquake #kumamoto #kyushu #sanaetakaichi #breakingnews #worldnews #topnews #tsunami #usnews #geopolitics #disaster In this Times Now World News report, we break down the this topic: Stay connected with Times Now World for real-time global news and analysis: Read full coverage: https://www.timesnownews.com/world Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timesnow.world Follow us on X: https://x.com/TimesNow_World #timesnowworld #worldnews #breakingnews