KUMAMOTO — Survivors of a powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan were sheltering in cars and crowded evacuation centres on Friday as the death toll from the disaster rose to 34, while authorities worked to restore water supplies and continue rescue operations.
The magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, causing widespread damage and disrupting essential services across parts of Kyushu.
The Kumamoto prefectural government reported 34 deaths, while at least 96 people were injured, according to the Associated Press. Thousands of residents were seeking refuge in evacuation centres or sleeping in vehicles, with shortages of water and fuel complicating efforts to cope with high temperatures.
The quake damaged buildings and other infrastructure, including a historic inn and a factory chimney, while an explosion and partial collapse at a shopping mall in Kashima also caused fatalities, according to reports. Authorities were continuing to assess the damage and investigate incidents linked to the disaster.
The Japanese government has urged emergency responders to prioritize rescue operations and the delivery of water and other necessities. The number of people still missing and the full scale of the damage remained unclear as recovery efforts continued.
Authorities said the situation was still developing, with rescue and damage-assessment operations ongoing.
