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The Kumamoto earthquake kills 35 people and injures more than 120 across Kyushu, damaging malls, factories, roads, utilities, and historic sites. At Aeon Mall in Kashima Town, a floor collapse is followed by a gas explosion, killing employees who return inside after shoppers evacuate. A Nippon Paper factory chimney collapse kills nine workers, while Kumamoto Castle walls, Kyushu Expressway, and Kumamoto Airport suffer damage. Blackouts, water failures, and 36°C heat worsen evacuation conditions, while semiconductor and vehicle factories suspend operations.
Tuesday, 28 July, 2026