Rescue efforts ongoing after chimney collapse and mall explosion in Kumamoto

Kumamoto Prefecture continues to grapple with the aftermath of the July 30 earthquake, which caused a chimney collapse at Nippon Paper’s Yatsushiro plant and a massive blast at the Ayeon Mall in Kashima Town.

At the paper factory, a towering chimney fell, trapping ten workers inside the concrete shaft. Emergency responders extracted the crew, discovering that eight had already succumbed to their injuries while two survived with serious wounds. A missing worker was later located amid the rubble, but his health status remains unclear.

The Ayeon Mall incident was equally harrowing. A sudden explosion tore through the building’s interior, sending smoke and debris skyward. Twelve individuals were pulled to safety; seven are now confirmed dead, and five are receiving medical care for burns and fractures. Search teams are combing through the collapsed sections to ensure no one else is trapped.

Local fire departments, police, and the Self‑Defense Forces have coordinated joint operations, deploying canine units, thermal imaging cameras, and heavy‑lifting equipment. The joint effort underscores the prefecture’s commitment to a thorough rescue and recovery mission despite challenging weather and ongoing aftershocks.