A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocked southern Japan, particularly affecting Kumamoto, resulting in at least 13 confirmed deaths and numerous injuries. Rescuers are engaged in a desperate race against time to locate survivors trapped in a collapsed shopping mall that had just reopened after renovations meant to mark a fresh start. Eyewitness accounts and video footage capture the chaotic moments during the quake as buildings crumbled and emergency alerts rang out. The Prime Minister emphasized the urgency of the rescue efforts, warning that every second counts. As search and rescue operations continue, the nation mourns the loss and fears for those still unaccounted for amidst significant damage to infrastructure, including the famed Kumamoto Castle.