Rescue teams in Japan continued operations Wednesday to find survivors after a powerful earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday afternoon. The quake, registering a magnitude of between 6.8 and 7.1 according to various reports, caused widespread destruction across the region on the island of Kyushu, resulting in at least 13 confirmed deaths and numerous injuries.

The earthquake struck at approximately 4:27 p.m. local time and was relatively shallow at about 10 kilometers beneath the surface, according to Japan’s meteorological agency, which also warned of potential further aftershocks. The tremor damaged roads, triggered fires, caused buildings to collapse, and cut electricity and water supplies to tens of thousands of residents. Power outages affected over 30,000 households in Kumamoto alone, with water outages reported for around 84,000 homes across five prefectures.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the situation as a “race against time” to rescue those trapped beneath rubble. Thousands of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have been deployed alongside firefighters and police to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. As of Wednesday, more than 9,000 people had sought shelter in more than 500 evacuation centers across Kyushu.

Among the hardest hit sites was an Aeon shopping mall in the town of Kashima, where an explosion occurred roughly 50 minutes after the earthquake forced an evacuation. The cause of the blast is believed to be a gas leak, though investigations remain ongoing. Three fatalities were confirmed at the mall, with an additional fatality feared and several individuals still unaccounted for. Employees reported the explosion followed a period without visible smoke, adding to the suddenness and severity of the event.

Significant damage was also reported at a Nippon Paper Industries plant in Yatsushiro city, where the collapse of a smokestack led to at least five confirmed deaths and several missing persons. The disaster severely impacted several industrial operations in the region; major companies such as Toyota, Honda, and Sony have temporarily suspended activities at their Kumamoto plants, while Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has resumed operations after safety inspections.

Local infrastructure sustained considerable damage as well. Kumamoto Castle, a historic landmark, suffered a partial collapse of its stone walls. Roads, expressways, and bridges across the prefecture were damaged, with some routes and bullet train services temporarily halted. Kumamoto Airport resumed operations Wednesday, easing logistical challenges for relief efforts.

The current earthquake has evoked difficult memories of the 2016 Kumamoto twin earthquakes, which killed nearly 300 people and severely affected the region’s recovery efforts. Many locals expressed shock and concern for the future as they face rebuilding yet again from significant destruction.

Officials continue to assess the full extent of damage as rescue operations proceed under difficult conditions with continuing aftershocks. Prime Minister Takaichi has pledged ongoing support and expressed condolences to those affected, emphasizing the importance of swift and coordinated relief efforts during this critical time.