In Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture, the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping center building, located in the town of Kashima, partially collapsed as a result of a powerful earthquake, TBS reports.

According to the broadcaster, citing sources in the prefectural administration, tremors of at least lower 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale were recorded in the area of the incident.

According to preliminary data, people may be trapped under the rubble of the shopping center. Sources say there are believed to be numerous fatalities, but the exact number of victims cannot yet be determined.

According to them, it will take time to confirm the number of dead, as search and rescue operations are still ongoing at the scene.