Japan earthquake: Searches continue into night, with people missing in collapsed mall and factory

Several people have been killed after a large 6.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan caused widespread damage, trapping an unknown number in a shopping mall, reports say.

The earthquake’s epicentre was recorded by the United States Geological Service as 4km southeast of Uki with a depth of 10km, at about 7.28pm (NZT) on Tuesday.

The US Geological Survey initially said the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1, but revised it later to 6.8.

The affected area is about 900 kilometres southwest of Tokyo.

The second floor at the Aeon Mall shopping centre in Kashima Town collapsed, trapping an unknown number of people.

“A large cloud of smoke billowed up, and because the wind happened to be blowing and the wind direction was towards the shop, the area around us was in a state ‌like volcanic ash was falling,” a witness speaking to local broadcaster TBS said.

An explosion was also reported at the mall, which is believed to have been sparked by gas equipment being damaged in the quake.

A number of people had died, reports said, while around 20 to 30 employees were missing.

One hospital at Kumamoto is reporting it is already full.

“People injured by furniture that fell during the earthquake, such as those with fractures, are being brought in one after another. We have 400 beds, but we are already at full capacity,” Saiseikai Kumamoto Hospital’s public relations director said, NHK is reporting.