Japan has been rocked by a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture, triggering the country's highest Shindo 7 seismic intensity in parts of the region. The violent quake was followed by a strong aftershock within minutes, prompting authorities to warn residents that even more powerful tremors could follow. Several neighbouring cities also experienced Shindo 6-level shaking as the earthquake was felt across a wide area. The disaster has revived painful memories of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, one of Japan's most devastating seismic disasters in recent history, as residents once again brace for uncertainty amid ongoing seismic activity.

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake has left a trail of destruction across Kumamoto, Japan, with one of the most shocking moments unfolding at AEON Mall Kumamoto, where a massive explosion ripped through the shopping complex shortly after the quake. Viral videos circulating online capture the terrifying moment the blast sent thick black smoke, debris and panic across the area, turning an already devastating natural disaster into an even greater tragedy. Authorities say the explosion occurred within an hour of the powerful earthquake, prompting an immediate large-scale emergency response. Rescue teams continue to comb through the collapsed sections of the mall in search of survivors, while several people have already been pulled from the rubble. Investigators are examining whether a gas leak triggered by the earthquake may have caused the deadly explosion, though the exact cause remains under investigation. The earthquake has claimed at least 13 lives, with fears that the toll could rise as search operations continue. WATCH