Japan’s earthquake death toll has reached 28 as emergency crews continue searching damaged buildings while thousands of survivors struggle with extreme heat, power outages and water shortages.
The 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck southern Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction across the region. Homes were flattened, bridges were damaged and fires broke out in several areas. Officials warned that temperatures could reach 38°C over the weekend, adding to the difficulties faced by people without electricity or air conditioning.
Rescue teams continued searching the wreckage of an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima, where a suspected gas explosion caused further destruction about 50 minutes after the earthquake. Authorities said four bodies had been recovered from the rubble, while several others were rescued with injuries.
At evacuation centres, hundreds of elderly residents were trying to escape the intense heat. Some slept on thin mats on community centre floors, while others stayed near televisions or gathered in shaded areas. With electricity unavailable in many locations, residents described the conditions as increasingly difficult.
The earthquake also caused major disruptions to essential utilities. More than 22,000 households and facilities remained without power, while approximately 84,000 homes faced water supply problems. Authorities have delivered hundreds of air conditioning units to evacuation shelters, while residents queued for drinking water and fuel.
The disaster has revived memories of previous devastating earthquakes in Kumamoto. Two major earthquakes struck the region in 2016, killing 273 people and injuring more than 2,800.
Japan is among the world’s most earthquake-prone countries because it sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire. The country experiences hundreds of tremors each year, although most are relatively mild.
The latest disaster has also reminded residents of the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which caused around 18,500 deaths or disappearances and triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
