KUMAMOTO, Japan — Rescue efforts continued Thursday in southwestern Japan two days after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on the southern main island of Kyushu, leaving at least 25 people dead and triggering widespread devastation. The quake caused an explosion at a shopping mall, toppled a factory chimney, and flattened numerous homes, with time running short to locate any remaining survivors.
The Kumamoto prefectural government confirmed 25 deaths directly related to the earthquake, with an additional nine fatalities under investigation as potentially linked to the disaster. At least 86 people were reported injured, including five in serious condition. Authorities have not yet clarified how many people remain missing.
The Aeon Mall in the town of Kashima, one of the most severely affected sites, saw its second floor collapse, trapping individuals during the quake. Approximately 3,000 customers had evacuated before an explosion occurred within the mall. Seven deaths have been confirmed at the mall site out of 12 people rescued from the rubble. Elsewhere, an industrial chimney collapsed at a Nippon Paper Industries factory in Yatsushiro, where eight workers died, 10 were rescued, and one person remained missing.
Thousands of residents have spent nights in evacuation centers established in schools, gymnasiums, and other public facilities throughout the region. More than 9,000 people are currently sheltering in roughly 400 emergency centers, many of which have seen air conditioning units installed to alleviate the intense summer heat. Despite these measures, nearly 19,000 homes remain without power, and many households continue to lack access to water and electricity.
Local officials expressed concern about health risks related to the ongoing heatwave, with the Ministry of Environment issuing a heatstroke alert after temperatures exceeded 91 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius) in the Kumamoto area. Medical personnel, including doctors dispatched from other regions, have been monitoring evacuees, particularly elderly individuals and those with injuries, to prevent dehydration and heat-related illness.
In the town of Hikawa, which suffered extensive damage with over 800 of approximately 4,500 households destroyed or compromised, some residents have chosen to stay in their vehicles or tents rather than crowded shelters due to fears of aftershocks or concerns about disturbing others. Emergency supplies such as bottled water and instant food are being distributed by local government officials and the Ground Self-Defense Force. However, supplies are reportedly dwindling, prompting officials to emphasize the need for additional resources.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced that the central government would spearhead efforts to coordinate rescue and recovery operations, prioritizing the restoration of electricity, water, and gas services, as well as the provision of fresh water. She acknowledged the evolving needs of those affected and pledged to address uncertainties faced by residents as the region works to recover from the disaster.