India, July 28 -- Hours after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Japan on Tuesday, the tremors reportedly triggered a blast at Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima Town.

As per a statement from the retailer, customers have been evacuated, but several are trapped and feared dead.

Local news agency NHK cited fire officials, who stated that part of the second floor of the building collapsed due to the explosion.

"Kashima town, a shopping complex's second floor collapsed, leaving many people trapped inside," the fire department said in a statement, as per AFP.

Police also said earlier they had received reports of what sounded like an explosion at the Aeon Mall outlet in the Kumamoto region.

On Tuesday, Japan recorded a 7.1 magnitude earthquake i...