A major earthquake has struck southwestern Japan, causing significant damage and leaving many trapped in a collapsed shopping mall in Kashima, with reports of fatalities emerging.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said authorities were still assessing the full extent of the damage in the area, which was devastated by a deadly quake a decade ago.

Emergency responders searched early Wednesday for people feared trapped in a shopping mall in Japan after a major earthquake toppled buildings, sparked fires and reportedly killed…