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Video footage circulating on social media appeared to show a powerful explosion ripping through the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping center shortly after a strong earthquake struck Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture, as rescue crews continued searching the damaged building for possible survivors.

The footage showed a large blast followed by the collapse of sections of the building and thick plumes of smoke rising into the air. Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the video or independently confirm the circumstances surrounding the explosion.

Japanese emergency authorities said search-and-rescue operations remained underway at the partially collapsed shopping center. Local media, citing officials, reported concerns that casualties may have occurred, although authorities had not released an official death toll linked to the explosion.

The shopping mall had been evacuated following the earthquake, but investigators were examining whether employees or other individuals remained inside the building when the blast occurred.

The cause of the explosion has not been determined. Authorities are investigating whether it may have been related to structural damage or utility failures caused by the earthquake.

The area around the shopping center remained cordoned off as emergency responders searched the debris amid concerns over aftershocks and the risk of further collapses.

Earlier, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported that between 20 and 30 employees remained unaccounted for at the shopping center following the earthquake, while rescue teams worked to locate people believed to be trapped inside.

The earthquake also caused widespread damage across parts of Kumamoto prefecture, leaving thousands of households without electricity and damaging roads, buildings and other infrastructure.