Many people were reported missing prompting major search and rescue efforts to take place. A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on the southern main island of Kyushu late on Tuesday afternoon. In 2016, a series of earthquakes, the largest recorded at 7.0 magnitude, struck the Kumamoto area, killing 277 people and injuring close to 3,000 others. AEON Mall, which was destroyed by an explosion following an earthquake, is seen in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Wednesday, July 29, 2026 - Hiro Komae/Copyright 2026 The AP. Police officers control the traffic near AEON Mall, which was destroyed by an explosion following an earthquake, in Kashima, Kumamoto, southern Japan, Wednesday, July 29, 2026 - Hiro Komae/Copyright 2026 The AP.