A shopping mall in southern Japan that had just reopened after years of reconstruction following a devastating 2016 earthquake was destroyed Tuesday after a powerful earthquake struck the region and was followed by a massive explosion, leaving dozens of workers unaccounted for.
Rebuilding Efforts
The Aeon Mall in Kumamoto Prefecture celebrated its grand reopening on June 13 after years of rebuilding meant to mark the region’s recovery from the 2016 disaster. The mall had become one of the most visible symbols of Kumamoto’s recovery after the magnitude 7.3 earthquake that devastated the region in April 2016.
About 200 shoppers were safely evacuated after the earthquake, officials said. Roughly an hour later, a powerful explosion ripped through the building, blowing off exterior walls and exposing its steel framework. NHK reported that about 20 to 30 mall employees remained unaccounted for, while police said rescuers could not immediately enter because of the risk of aftershocks.
Witnesses reported smelling gas before the explosion, according to Reuters. An Aeon spokesperson said employees immediately helped evacuate visitors after the quake, while prefectural officials confirmed about 200 people were guided safely outside before the blast.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
