Rescue services previously reported that a large number of people were trapped for hours inside the building after the floor collapsed.
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The photos show the collapsed ceiling and facade of the «AEON Mall» shopping center, as well as debris scattered on the road.
The local fire department issued a statement about the collapsing shopping center, explaining: “The second floor of the shopping complex collapsed in Kashima city, trapping people inside.”
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One witness told the TBS television channel that he heard an explosion in the shopping center while cleaning earthquake-damaged dishes in a bar about 300 meters away.
“It was a huge impact,” said Kazuya Tsurunaga. “A huge cloud of smoke rose, and since the wind was blowing at the time, it created a situation around us as if volcanic ash was falling.”
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