The death toll from a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture has climbed to 30, officials say. Rescue teams are searching damaged sites including an Aeon mall and a Nippon Paper factory while more than 100 aftershocks have been recorded. About 9,000 people are sheltering in evacuation centres and some 30,000 households are without power as forecasts warn temperatures could reach 39°C. Authorities have dispatched 300 air conditioners and urged precautions against heatstroke.
Japan Quake Death Toll Rises to 30 as Evacuees Battle Sweltering 39°C Heat
The quake caused widespread damage to houses and power lines across Kumamoto prefecture [JIJI Press / AFP via Getty Images]
The death toll from a powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu island has risen to 30, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Thursday. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors amid widespread damage to homes, businesses and power infrastructure.
Search And Rescue Under Way
Thousands of search-and-rescue personnel have been mobilised to comb through rubble at heavily damaged sites, including the Aeon shopping centre in Kashima and a Nippon Paper factory in Yatsushiro city. At the Nippon Paper site, at least five people have died; company officials said 11 people were trapped and seven had been rescued as of Wednesday.
Teams are still working to find survivors at the Aeon mall, where a portion of the second floor partially collapsed. The mall was later rocked by an explosion about an hour after the initial quake; Aeon’s president said the blast was "very likely" caused by a gas explosion, though investigators are still probing the exact cause. A cat café inside the mall reported that all 25 cats left behind during the chaos were safely rescued.
Evacuations, Heat And Power Outages
Around 9,000 displaced residents are sheltering in evacuation centres, while more than 30,000 households remained without power as of Wednesday. Authorities have recorded more than 100 aftershocks since the main tremor, and many people are sleeping in their cars because they fear further collapses.
With forecasts predicting temperatures up to 39°C in parts of Kumamoto Prefecture in the coming days, officials warned of heightened heatstroke risk. On Wednesday, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced that 300 air conditioners would be sent to the region, with 150 units earmarked for evacuation centres to help keep evacuees cool and hydrated.
Local Voices
Residents described the quake as unusually strong. Hiroko Ogata, a 75-year-old restaurant owner in Yatsushiro, told the BBC she hid under a table as the building swayed violently. "I have lived here for 75 years, but I have never experienced such a big quake," she said. "I thought I would die."
Magnitude and Depth: The quake registered 6.8 magnitude and had a shallow depth of about 10km (six miles), which amplified its impact across the prefecture.
Investigations into structural failures and the explosion at the mall are ongoing. Authorities continue to urge residents to stay alert for aftershocks and to follow evacuation and heat-safety guidance.
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