Over 100 Aftershocks Hit Kumamoto, Japan, as Collapsed Shopping Center Leaves Multiple Missing

According to data from the Japan Meteorological Agency, over 100 perceptible aftershocks have occurred in Kumamoto following the major quake, as of 23:30 on Tuesday, July 28.

At 15:27 on July 28, Taiwan time, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Kyushu Island, Japan (32.65 degrees north latitude, 130.75 degrees east longitude), with a focal depth of 10 kilometers.

On July 28, Kumamoto Prefecture authorities reported that the strong earthquake caused the collapse of a chimney at a Japan Paper Group factory in Yatsushiro City. Two rescued individuals were found in cardiopulmonary arrest, with nine others still missing.

Additionally, in Kashima Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, five people were rescued from a mall affected by the quake, while nine others remain unaccounted for.

According to Japanese police sources on July 28, following the strong afternoon quake, 20 to 30 people are missing after a shopping center in Kashima Town collapsed—possibly mall employees. Local fire and rescue services reported that three people have been rescued and transported to hospitals, all of whom were conscious upon rescue.

The Hyokawa Town Medical Center in Kumamoto Prefecture stated that approximately 80 people injured in the earthquake are currently receiving treatment.

Furthermore, according to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, as of 20:25 on July 28, 26 medical facilities in Kumamoto Prefecture have reported damage.

On the day of the earthquake, Japan's Geospatial Information Authority stated that after analyzing relevant data, they observed a maximum crustal deformation of approximately 84 centimeters in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and about 40 centimeters in Kumamoto City.

These figures are preliminary estimates. The Geospatial Information Authority noted that values may change with further analysis and emphasized that '84 centimeters represents a significant level of crustal deformation.'