Japan Kumamoto earthquake: What happened, damage, victims, latest updates

Core Impact Points

• A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, causing widespread damage and collapsing buildings.
• The quake sparked fires in Kumamoto City, trapped shoppers inside a partially collapsed shopping mall, and left thousands of homes without power.
• At least one person died in hospital after being found in a collapsed house, and 20-30 shopping mall workers are unaccounted for.
• The Japan Meteorological Agency reported more than 60 aftershocks, complicating rescue efforts and warning residents to expect day-two tremors.
• Japan's location on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it prone to earthquakes, with thousands occurring every year due to tectonic plate shifts.
• The quake's impact on the US market and economy is expected to be minimal, but it highlights the importance of disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience.