Μake us preferred on GoogleVideo footage circulating on social media appeared to show a powerful explosion ripping through the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping center shortly after a strong earthquake struck Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture, as rescue crews continued searching the damaged building for possible survivors. WATCH: Footage captures the moment of an explosion at the Aeon Mall in Kumamoto, Japan, following a powerful earthquake. Japanese emergency authorities said search-and-rescue operations remained underway at the partially collapsed shopping center. The shopping mall had been evacuated following the earthquake, but investigators were examining whether employees or other individuals remained inside the building when the blast occurred. pic.twitter.com/1vhU4hA4qp — Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) July 28, 2026The area around the shopping center remained cordoned off as emergency responders searched the debris amid concerns over aftershocks and the risk of further collapses.