Strong quake hits Japan's Kumamoto prefecture

Many are feared dead after an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck Japan's Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday afternoon. Japanese authorities initially issued a tsunami advisory but it was later removed.

Local police say that 20 to 30 employees could be missing from a shopping centre. More than 40,000 households experience power outages. The Japan Meteorological Agency has recorded more than 60 aftershocks in Kumamoto following the earthquake.

On social media, a Japanese netizen uploads a video showing the moment of a landslide happened at Kumamoto Castle after the earthquake.

Another video captures the complete chaos at a supermarket. Children can be heard screaming and crying. Goods scatter across the floor. Some customers appear to be trapped by fallen cardboard boxes in an aisle.

An explosion happened at a shopping centre after the earthquake, causing the second floor of the facility to collapse. Kumamoto fire department says multiple people are trapped inside. Sources say many are feared dead in the incident.

After the quake, fires broke out across the prefecture. Bridges are also damaged. The quake has also suspended the local transport, including the JR Kyushu railway. A train could be seen derailed and fell on its side.

Speaking to the media, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says the government's highest priority is to save lives and conduct rescue operations.

The quake hit Japan at around 4:27pm local time on Tuesday with a maximum seismic intensity of seven observed. More than 150,000 people were evacuated.

Emergency officials are warning residents to be cautious over the next two to three days as the shallow quake was triggering active seismic activities in the area.

In 2016, Kumamoto was also hit by strong quakes that led to the death of over 270 people.