In Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture, following a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake, an explosion occurred at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping center. A preliminary cause of the incident may have been a gas leak, Kyodo reports, citing a government source.

It was reported earlier that underground tremors of at least lower 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale were recorded in the area of the town of Kashima, where the shopping center is located. After the earthquake, part of the shopping complex building sustained serious damage.

According to local authorities, there may be fatalities inside the shopping center. Sources said the death toll could be significant, but the exact number of those killed has not yet been established. Rescue services continue search and reconnaissance operations at the scene.

Authorities and emergency services are determining the circumstances of the explosion and assessing the scale of the destruction. More detailed information about the victims and the causes of the incident is expected after the completion of the initial inspections.