Japan: Aftermath of Massive M7.1 Kumamoto Earthquake 2

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region of Japan on Tuesday, July 28, registering a level 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale, leaving 36 dead as of Friday, July 31. An explosion was reported at the AEON Mall Kumamoto shortly after the quake, a chimney also collapsed at a paper factory, and more than 1,500 homes were reported destroyed or damaged across the affected areas.

Japan: Aftermath of Massive M7.1 Kumamoto Earthquake

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region of Japan on Tuesday, July 28, registering a level 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale, leaving 36 dead as of Friday, July 31. An explosion was reported at the AEON Mall Kumamoto shortly after the quake, a chimney also collapsed at a paper factory, and more than 1,500 homes were reported destroyed or damaged across the affected areas.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Work to restore electricity is underway in Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the region.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Work to restore electricity is underway in Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the region.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Work to restore electricity is underway in Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the region.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Work to restore electricity is underway in Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the region.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Work to restore electricity is underway in Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the region.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

A man stands in front of a collapsed house in Hikawa in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the region.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Propane gas cylinders lie scattered in Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the region.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

A red warning notice reading "Danger" is posted on the wall of a damaged house in Uki in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the region.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Staff members on July 31, 2026, clean up a Lawson convenience store in Uki in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, after a powerful earthquake struck the region three days earlier.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

A road is seen cracked in Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

A road is seen cracked in Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

A road is seen cracked in Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Tilted electric poles and collapsed houses are pictured in Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

A warped and cracked road is pictured in Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Citizens wait to apply for a document certifying damage done to their property at the Uki city government office in Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture. The certificate is required to receive such support as temporary housing and tax reduction or exemption.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

People collect water from a water tanker truck in Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture, as tens of thousands of households remained without water on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Collapsed houses are pictured in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

A collapsed house is pictured in Hikawa, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture.

US: Tornado Leaves Trail of Destruction in Wisconsin 3

A tornado tore through Menasha, Appleton and Neenah, Wisconsin, on Monday, July 27, destroying homes and businesses, uprooting trees and cutting power to thousands. The National Weather Service confirmed Tuesday that the tornado, which struck Menasha, was an EF-3.

Japan: Earthquake Sparks Deadly Mall Explosion in Kumamoto 2

A massive earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan on Tuesday, forcing nearly 9,000 residents to evacuate. The quake also triggered a large explosion at a shopping mall in the town of Kashima, tearing through the building and killing at least four people. This video shows ash covering roads near Kashima. The video owner said a loud explosion was heard, causing the car to shake, while heavy ash filled the air and made it difficult to see ahead.

Japan: Strong Earthquake Strikes Kumamoto, Shaking Felt Across Kyushu 8

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, on Tuesday, July 28, prompting a tsunami advisory for coastal areas. Strong shaking was felt in neighboring prefectures including Fukuoka, Kagoshima, and Saga.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo shows collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity. The castle has been under restoration following damage from major earthquakes in 2016.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo shows collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity. The castle has been under restoration following damage from major earthquakes in 2016.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo shows collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity. The castle has been under restoration following damage from major earthquakes in 2016.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on July 29, 2026, shows a collapsed house in Hikawa, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train halted on the tracks in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity, suspending its services.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train halted on the tracks in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity, suspending its services.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

A JR Kyushu train is halted on the tracks in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a collapsed building in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone shows damage to the Minami-Kyushu Expressway (back) and cracks in the nearby ground in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a torii gate at a shrine lying toppled in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone shows the damaged Minami-Kyushu Expressway in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone shows the damaged Minami-Kyushu Expressway in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone shows the damaged Minami-Kyushu Expressway in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone shows the damaged Minami-Kyushu Expressway in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on July 29, 2026, shows a collapsed temple in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone shows cracks in the ground in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone shows cracks in the ground in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Sony halts Kumamoto chip plant following strong quake

Sony halts Kumamoto chip plant following strong quake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. plant in Kikuyo in Kumamoto Prefecture. The subsidiary of Sony Group Corp. halted operations at the plant after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity on July 28.

Aeon president speaks about post-quake explosion

Aeon president speaks about post-quake explosion

Aeon Co. President Akio Yoshida (C) bows at a press conference in Kumamoto in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto on July 29, 2026, a day after an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima in the prefecture was rocked by a deadly explosion following a strong earthquake that struck the region.

Aeon president speaks regarding post-quake explosion

Aeon president speaks regarding post-quake explosion

Aeon Co. President Akio Yoshida (C) speaks at a press conference in Kumamoto in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto on July 29, 2026, a day after an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima in the prefecture was rocked by a deadly explosion following a strong earthquake that struck the region.

Aeon president speaks regarding post-quake explosion

Aeon president speaks regarding post-quake explosion

Aeon Co. President Akio Yoshida speaks at a press conference in Kumamoto in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto on July 29, 2026, a day after an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima in the prefecture was rocked by a deadly explosion following a strong earthquake that struck the region.

Aeon president speaks regarding post-quake explosion

Aeon president speaks regarding post-quake explosion

Aeon Co. President Akio Yoshida speaks at a press conference in Kumamoto in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto on July 29, 2026, a day after an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima in the prefecture was rocked by a deadly explosion following a strong earthquake that struck the region.

Japan: Deadly Earthquake Strikes Kumamoto, Leaves Widespread Damage

A massive earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan on Tuesday, killing at least 13 people and forcing nearly 9,000 residents to evacuate. The quake left extensive damage to structures and roads, and also triggered a large explosion at a shopping mall in the town of Kashima, tearing through the building and killing at least four people.

Japan: Earthquake Sparks Deadly Mall Explosion in Kumamoto

A massive earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan on Tuesday, forcing nearly 9,000 residents to evacuate. The quake also triggered a large explosion at a shopping mall in the town of Kashima, tearing through the building and killing at least four people. The footage shows smoke rising from the building as the filmer claims, "I was waiting in the parking lot to calm down, but suddenly I heard what sounded like an explosion from the Aeon Mall, and smoke started coming out."

China: Rocket Struck by Lightning Continues Flight Into Sky

On July 23, 2026, in Xichang, Sichuan, a Long March 3B carrier rocket was struck by lightning shortly after launch. Despite the strike, the rocket continued flying normally and successfully completed its mission into the sky.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations under way at a Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant with its smokestack broken in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and surrounding areas.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations under way at a Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant with its smokestack broken in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and surrounding areas.