Kumamoto: The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture has risen to 34, as emergency teams continue search-and-rescue operations with ongoing aftershocks and extreme summer temperatures.
The magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit Kyushu Island, causing widespread destruction to homes, commercial buildings, and critical infrastructure. Authorities said several victims were killed after part of the Aeon shopping centre in Kashima collapsed, followed by an explosion that tore through the mall about an hour later. Investigators believe the blast was likely caused by a gas explosion, although the exact cause remains under investigation.
Rescue teams, supported by thousands of emergency personnel, are continuing to search through the debris at the shopping centre and other heavily damaged locations. One of the other worst-hit sites is a Nippon Paper factory in Yatsushiro City, where at least five people died after part of the building collapsed. The company said 11 workers were trapped inside, with seven rescued so far.
More than 100 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial quake, forcing many residents to sleep inside their vehicles or remain in temporary shelters due to fears of additional tremors. Approximately 9,000 people are currently staying in evacuation centres across Kumamoto Prefecture, while more than 30,000 households remained without electricity as of Wednesday. Authorities are also working to restore water supplies in affected communities.
The disaster response has been complicated by soaring temperatures, with forecasts predicting highs of up to 39°C in the coming days. Officials have warned both survivors and rescue workers about the heightened risk of heatstroke.
Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the deployment of 300 air-conditioning units to the affected region, including 150 units designated for evacuation centres. Emergency generators have also been supplied to shelters that lost electricity after the quake.
At one evacuation centre housing around 1,000 people, staff member Yukiya Sanoue said nearly one-third of the evacuees are elderly, making heat-related illnesses a major concern. Several residents have already been hospitalised with symptoms consistent with heatstroke after the shelter operated without electricity or air conditioning for an extended period.
Meanwhile, all 25 cats trapped inside a cat café at the damaged Aeon shopping centre were safely rescued, providing a rare moment of relief amid the ongoing disaster. The earthquake struck at a shallow depth of around 10 kilometres, producing intense ground shaking across Kumamoto Prefecture. Many residents described it as the strongest earthquake they had ever experienced.
For Kumamoto, the latest disaster revives painful memories of the devastating earthquakes in April 2016 that claimed 278 lives and caused widespread destruction across the region. Emergency authorities have urged residents to remain alert for further aftershocks while rescue and recovery efforts continue across the affected areas.
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