Japan Earthquake: Death Toll Reaches 13 as Rescuers Race Against Time in Kumamoto

A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region on Japan's southern main island of Kyushu, killing at least 13 people and leaving many others unaccounted for. Soldiers and emergency workers continued combing through collapsed structures on Wednesday, searching for anyone still trapped beneath the rubble.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the ongoing operation as a race against time. "There are people who are still waiting to be rescued, and it's a race against time," she said. "We will go all out to find and rescue as many people as we can."

Collapsed Mall and Factory Among Key Rescue Sites

Japan's Self Defense Forces joined rescue teams at the badly damaged Aeon Mall in the town of Kashima, where the building's second floor collapsed following an explosion believed to have been triggered by a gas leak. Authorities had not confirmed how many people might remain trapped inside the structure.

At the Yatsushiro factory operated by Nippon Paper Industries Co., a chimney collapse left debris that trapped multiple individuals. The Kumamoto emergency team reported that seven people were feared still trapped as of Wednesday. Officials confirmed that two survivors and two bodies had already been recovered from the site.

Rescue workers also sifted through collapsed houses across the affected region, looking for additional survivors who may have been caught in the destruction.

Widespread Utility Outages and Mass Evacuations

Chief government spokesman Minoru Kihara told reporters that approximately 36,900 homes remained without electricity and 9,500 homes were without gas service. Communication networks were also reported to be non-functional in certain areas, complicating coordination efforts.

More than 9,000 residents evacuated their homes and relocated to over 500 shelters across the region. Authorities were working to add power sources to evacuation centers to provide air conditioning, as Japan has been experiencing an ongoing heat wave. Temperatures in the affected area were forecast to exceed 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit).

Prime Minister Takaichi said the federal government was preparing to deliver food and other essential supplies to the hardest-hit communities. She also expressed condolences to the victims and their families while urging those affected by the quake to take precautions against the extreme heat.

Transportation Disruptions and Cultural Landmark Damaged

The Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train service remained suspended on Wednesday, leaving a key transportation artery inactive. Aso Kumamoto Airport resumed operations after closing one runway on Tuesday, though officials warned that some flights could still face cancellation.

Kumamoto Castle, a major tourist destination still undergoing repairs from a devastating earthquake in 2016, suffered additional damage to its stone walls, according to Kyodo News. The earlier quake had killed at least 50 people in the region.

Hiroki Shimoda, an official at the Mifune town hall, recalled the frightening similarity to the previous disaster. "The shaking reminded me of the Kumamoto quake (10 years ago) and I was frightened," he said, describing how roof tiles from nearby homes crashed to the ground during the tremor.

As search and rescue operations continue across Kumamoto and surrounding areas, authorities remain focused on reaching those still trapped while ensuring the safety of thousands displaced by the disaster. If you found this report informative, please consider sharing it with others to help spread awareness about the ongoing situation in Japan.

Source: NPR – World