englishnewseasy.com
Japan Earthquake Triggers Blast at Mall
Watch on YouTube 📺
Japan Earthquake Triggers Blast at Mall
A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake has hit Kumamoto in southern Japan.
So far, officials say that at least 13 people have died.
Emergency workers are now in a race against time to rescue trapped survivors.
The prime minister says they are doing everything they can to save lives.
The earthquake caused a massive explosion at a major shopping mall.
Officials believe a gas leak triggered the blast,
which collapsed the second floor of the building.
Rescuers pulled eight people from the rubble,
but several workers are still missing.
At a nearby paper mill, a giant chimney collapsed on the site.
The disaster has also cut off power to nearly 37,000 homes in the region.
Because of the damage, local bullet trains have been suspended,
and the nearby airport had to close its runway.
Major companies, including chipmaker TSMC, had to evacuate their plants.
Right now, more than 9,000 people are staying in over 500 shelters.
Finally, weather officials urge residents to be careful of aftershocks.
Quiz 🧠
Q1. Can a strong earthquake cause gas leaks and power cuts in a city?
Show answer
✅ Yes
Strong shaking can easily break underground gas pipes and damage power lines across a region.
Q2. What does 'evacuate' mean in 'people evacuated the building'?
Show answer
✅ leave quickly for safety
To evacuate means to move away from a dangerous place to a safer location.
Q3. After a major earthquake hits a region in Japan, why are train services stopped immediately?
Show answer
✅ To check for track damage
Trains stop right away so workers can inspect the tracks for cracks and prevent accidents.
Dialogue 🎧
Liam: Emma, I can't stop thinking about that terrible earthquake in Kumamoto, southern Japan.
Emma: Me too, Liam. A magnitude 7.1 earthquake is just incredibly massive and scary.
Liam: It sounds absolutely terrifying. Did it cause a lot of damage and casualties?
Emma: Yes, it did. Sadly, officials say that at least thirteen people have died so far.
Liam: That is heartbreaking. I really hope they can find the missing people quickly.
Emma: The prime minister said emergency workers are in a real race against time.
Liam: I saw photos of a collapsed shopping mall. Did the shaking do that?
Emma: Not directly. Officials believe a gas leak triggered a massive explosion there instead.
Liam: An explosion on top of an earthquake? That is a literal nightmare.
Emma: I know. The second floor collapsed, but rescuers luckily pulled eight people out.
Liam: Thank goodness for those rescues. Are there still other workers missing there?
Emma: Yes, four mall workers are missing, plus seven more at a paper mill.
Liam: A paper mill? What on earth happened over at that site?
Emma: A giant chimney collapsed right onto the factory. It must have been deafening.
Liam: Ugh, that gives me chills. My uncle works in a factory similar to that.
Emma: It's total chaos there. Nearly 37,000 homes are currently without any electricity.
Liam: No power at all? I guess local transport is completely frozen too then.
Emma: Exactly. Bullet trains are suspended and the nearby airport had to close its runway.
Liam: That is wild. Didn't major chipmaker TSMC have to evacuate their plants as well?
Emma: They did. It really shows how this disaster affects absolutely everything in the region.
Liam: Right now, more than 9,000 people are staying in over 500 emergency shelters.
Emma: It's devastating. And weather officials are warning everyone to watch out for dangerous aftershocks.