A 6.8-magnitude earthquake which hit Japan’s southern Kumamoto prefecture has left many people trapped after a shopping mall partially collapsed, public broadcaster NHK reports. Several are also reportedly unaccounted for at a paper factory, a highway bridge has buckled, and at least one other building to collapse.
One hospital had reported more than 50 injuries, NHK said. Several people on a high-speed train at the time of the quake were also injured, according to Nikkei newspaper.
Residents in the areas that felt the biggest tremors must beware of further strong quakes for about a week as well as the risk of landslides, an official for the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. (CNN)