Several people dead after shopping mall partially collapses, CNN affiliate reports

Several people were killed when a shopping mall partially collapsed in an explosion after an earthquake struck the city of Kumamoto, in southern Japan, CNN affiliate TV Asahi reported, citing police sources.

They have not confirmed the number of deaths nor whether those killed were employees or customers.

Earlier, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported that 20 to 30 employees at Aeon Mall Kumamoto could not be contacted after the collapse.

-CNN