A rescue worker walks in front of AEON Mall, which was damaged by an explosion following an earthquake, is seen in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
KUMAMOTO, Japan (AP) — A powerful earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu on Tuesday. A shopping mall, a factory and multiple homes were heavily damaged, and Self Defense Forces personnel joined rescue workers to look for survivors.
____
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
AEON Mall, which was damaged by an explosion following an earthquake, is seen in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)People stand by the fallen torii gate near a shrine, a day after an earthquake in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto prefecture, Wednesday, July 29, 2026.(Yu Nakajima/Kyodo News via AP)Damaged cars are seen in a parking lot at AEON Mall, which was damaged by an explosion following an earthquake, in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)AEON Mall, which was damaged by an explosion following an earthquake, is seen in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)A utility worker repairs power lines near AEON Mall, which was damaged in an explosion following an earthquake in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)A vehicle passes by collapsed houses after an earthquake in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto prefecture, Wednesday, July 29, 2026.(Juntaro Yokoyama/Kyodo News via AP)Emergency vehicles are seen in front of AEON Mall, which was damaged by an explosion following an earthquake, in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)A police officer controls the traffic near AEON Mall, which was destroyed by an explosion following an earthquake, in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)Firefighters and Self Defense Force members prepare their work at AEON Mall, which was damaged by an explosion following an earthquake, is seen in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.
