A powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan has killed 34 people, with rescuers continuing to search for survivors amid widespread damage, officials in Kumamoto prefecture announced.

The 7.1 magnitude quake struck the region, toppling a factory chimney and flattening an unspecified number of homes, as emergency services battled to reach those trapped.

A powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan has killed 34 people, with rescuers continuing to search for survivors amid widespread damage.

One of the most dramatic incidents saw a shopping mall explode in the aftermath of the tremors, an event captured on dashcam footage that circulated widely online.

The Kumamoto prefectural government confirmed the rising death toll as rescue operations intensified across the affected areas. Teams are sifting through rubble, with efforts focused on locations where buildings collapsed.

Widespread Damage Across Kumamoto

The earthquake’s impact left a trail of destruction across Kumamoto. Besides the mall explosion and the collapsed factory chimney, numerous residential properties were severely damaged or destroyed, displacing an unknown number of residents.

Emergency services, including fire brigades and medical personnel, have been mobilised to provide aid and assistance. Hospitals in the region were treating the injured, though specific figures were not immediately available.

Japan's Seismic Vulnerability

Japan is one of the most seismically active nations globally, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches around the Pacific Ocean.

The country has stringent building codes designed to withstand powerful earthquakes, a measure often credited with limiting casualties in frequent tremors. However, the scale of this week's quake proved devastating in some areas.

Authorities have warned residents to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks, which can further destabilise damaged structures and pose additional risks to rescue workers and the public.