Dozens feared trapped in quake-hit Japan mall

A major earthquake collapsed buildings and sparked fires in Japan's southwest, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said, with broadcaster NHK saying that at least 50 people were taken to hospital.

TOKYO - Dozens of people were feared trapped in a shopping mall in Japan on Tuesday after a major earthquake toppled buildings, sparked fires and reportedly killed one person and injured more than 100.

Private broadcaster TBS reported that a "considerable number" of people were feared dead inside the mall in the town of Kashima after the fire brigade said that the second floor collapsed in the 7.1-magnitude tremor.