「この世の終わりを見ているよう」イオンモール熊本で爆発…骨組みがむき出しの部分も　従業員20人ほどと連絡取れず【熊本で最大震度7の地震】｜TBS NEWS DIG

A massive explosion occurred at Aeon Mall Kumamoto. According to police sources, there is information that the whereabouts of approximately 20 to 30 people, including employees, are unknown. Reporter: "The entrance to the shopping mall has completely collapsed. Looking at the parking lot, the building has completely collapsed there as well." At around 4:27 PM on the 28th, an earthquake with a maximum intensity of 7 was observed in Uki City and Hikawa Town in Kumamoto Prefecture. Then, on the evening of the 28th, a large explosion occurred at Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima Town, Kumamoto Prefecture. The second floor collapsed, and according to the fire department, four people have been taken to the hospital so far, but contact has been lost with about 20 employees. This is footage taken by a nearby resident. On the left, you can see the building reduced to just its framework. And what appears to be a part of the blown-off exterior wall is hanging from the power lines. Nearby Resident: "It really feels like the end of the world. I never thought something like this would happen." Many people were evacuating amidst the rising dust. "It's okay, it's okay." "This is bad, I can't see anything." A woman who was on the premises at the time said that when she went outside, she felt a tremor different from an earthquake. Person on the premises at the time of the explosion "It was different from the previous tremors. I felt a jolt upwards. There was a lot of white smoke rising. I didn't think it was an explosion, so I was warned, 'It's dangerous to get close.' I was told, 'Stay away, stay away.' If I had made a different choice, I might not have been able to get out. I really feel like I'm not alive." According to a taxi driver who was nearby, the explosion occurred around 5:45 AM, about 1 hour and 15 minutes after the earthquake. Taxi driver near the scene "It was just a sudden bang. I think it was the mortar on the exterior wall, and white smoke, or rather, dust. I thought the car's windshield would shatter because it hit it. At the time of the explosion, four or five employees had just come out to the back, and no one else came out." The building's ceiling and walls were blown off, leaving the interior exposed. The debris scattered around appears to be from the building's exterior; its size is evident when compared to the cars. The building fragments reached this far. Reporter: "Large fragments have scattered towards the cars. Three cars are stopped, having been hit by debris." At a pharmacy approximately 500 meters from the scene: Pharmacist near the scene: "The sound was incredible. For a moment, it sounded like thunder, I thought it was lightning." Siren sound during phone call… Pharmacist near the scene: "(Q. There's a siren now.) Yes, there is. (Q. Where are they heading?) I think it's the Aeon Mall." Reporter: "This is the shopping mall's parking lot. There are fire trucks and police vehicles. It looks like shoppers are evacuating." Aeon Mall Kumamoto is one of the largest shopping centers in the prefecture, housing specialty shops, restaurants, and a movie theater. The site also included a hot spring facility and a gas station, and the Aeon Kumamoto store located inside had just been renovated last month. After the explosion, nearby residents received the following warning from the police: Nearby Resident: "There was no smell at all. However, the police broadcast an announcement saying that there was still a possibility of gas leakage and that those nearby should evacuate." Reporter: "Looking at the multi-story parking garage, it appears that parts of it are damaged, possibly due to the explosion." Approximately four hours have passed since the earthquake. Normally, it would still be business hours, but all the lights in the building are out. Occasionally, flashlights can be seen, presumably from the police or fire department. Many people are still believed to be trapped, and rescue efforts are continuing. ▼TBS NEWS DIG Official Website: https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/ ▼Subscribe to our channel [Easier access to the latest news]    / @tbsnewsdig   ▼NEWS DIG Latest News [Important information close at hand] https://www.google.com/preferences/so... ▼Submit information here: "TBS Insiders" https://www.tbs.co.jp/news_sp/tbs-ins... ▼Submit video here: "TBS Scoop Submission" https://www.tbs.co.jp/news_sp/toukou.... #news #TBS #newsdig