Temperatures were set to hit at least 35C on Thursday in the Kumamoto region, two days after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake wreaked major damage and killed at least 28 people.Power and water outages have affected tens of thousands of buildings, leaving residents sweltering and thirsty as they fear another big quake -- like the one 10 years ago."When this quake hit, I immediately knew the epicentre was close," 30-year-old Nishiyama told AFP."I didn't think this was going to happen here again."
The powerful explosion killed at least four people at Aeon mall in Kumamoto © Philip FONG / AFP
In April 2016, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto two days after a magnitude 6.5 tremor. Together those quakes killed 273 people.The Aeon shopping mall was renovated extensively to make it stronger and safer after suffering severe damage in the 2016 disaster.The sprawling complex had reopened gleaming following another makeover in June this year, promising a place where generations could "share smiles" a decade on.
Aftershocks from this week's tremor still rattle the area a few times an hour throughout the day © Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
But a suspected gas explosion, around an hour after Tuesday's quake, has left the facility -- which housed global fashion brands, a cinema and a food court -- in ruins, with four people confirmed dead there.Businessman Fumihiko Matsuura, 56, watched the latest "Toy Story" movie at the mall around a week ago."I was just here," he told AFP. "It's like I narrowly escaped the danger."'Very tough'Aftershocks rattle the area a few times an hour throughout the day."I have bottled water and other supplies," Matsuura said, adding he would "stay scared and cautious for the next few days" in case another big quake strikes.
