At least 13 people have been killed in a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Kumamoto prefecture in southern Japan, authorities have confirmed. The strong tremors caused extensive damage to infrastructure. A shopping mall partially collapsed, and rescue teams are searching for people trapped under the rubble.
Authorities also reported missing people at a paper mill, while a highway bridge collapsed in the quake. The Japanese government has mobilized thousands of soldiers to support search and rescue operations and distribute aid to affected areas.
