A major earthquake in Japan has resulted in at least 18 confirmed deaths, with numbers expected to rise as search efforts continue. Five fatalities occurred at a factory where a smokestack collapsed, and another 13 died following damage to a shopping mall. The quake caused widespread destruction, flattening homes and triggering fires throughout the affected areas. Critical infrastructure has also been compromised, with reports of ruptured bridges and widespread power outages impacting thousands. FRANCE 24’s Gavin Blair is reporting live from Tokyo, providing ongoing coverage of the unfolding disaster. Rescue teams are currently working to locate potential survivors trapped under debris, focusing on heavily damaged structures. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed as emergency services respond to the crisis.