KUMAMOTO, Japan — The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Japan has risen to 34, authorities said on Thursday, as rescuers continued searching damaged sites and working to reach people who may still be trapped.
The magnitude 7.1 quake struck Kyushu on Tuesday, with Kumamoto Prefecture among the hardest-hit areas. At least 34 people have died, according to the Kumamoto prefectural government, while rescue operations remain under way.
The earthquake caused widespread damage, including at an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima, where an explosion led to part of the building collapsing. Authorities have been investigating the circumstances surrounding the blast. A separate collapse at a Nippon Paper Industries facility in Yatsushiro also caused fatalities, according to local authorities.
At least 96 people were injured and more than 1,500 buildings were damaged or destroyed, according to figures reported by the Associated Press. Thousands of residents remained displaced, with some facing disruptions to water, power and other essential services amid intense summer heat.
Rescue teams and Japan's Self-Defense Forces have been deployed to affected areas as authorities continue assessing damage and restoring infrastructure. Details of the casualty count and extent of damage remain subject to further verification as rescue and recovery operations continue.
