A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake in southwestern Japan has killed 34 people. Authorities in Kumamoto prefecture confirmed the rising death toll on Thursday. Rescuers continue to search for survivors after the Tuesday quake caused widespread damage to homes and power lines.
The earthquake triggered a partial collapse of a shopping centre and an explosion an hour later, contributing to several fatalities. Thousands of residents, approximately 9,000 people, are now in evacuation centres. These centres face the critical challenge of keeping people cool and hydrated as the region endures sweltering heat.
This disaster adds to Japan's history of seismic activity, a common occurrence due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The country has robust building codes and disaster preparedness systems. However, the combination of a strong quake and an intense heatwave presents a complex humanitarian challenge. This event highlights the ongoing need for resilient infrastructure and rapid emergency response in disaster-prone areas.
Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the delivery of 300 air conditioners to Kumamoto. Of these, 150 units are specifically for evacuation centres. This immediate response aims to mitigate the health risks posed by the high temperatures.
The coming days could see temperatures reach 39C in the prefecture, according to weather forecasts. Officials have urged both survivors and rescuers to take strict precautions against heatstroke. This is particularly crucial for the elderly, who make up a significant portion of the evacuee population.
Yukiya Sanoue, who works at an evacuation centre housing about 1,000 people, expressed significant concern about heatstroke. He noted that about 30% of the occupants are senior citizens. The centre experienced power and water outages since the earthquake, only receiving a generator for air conditioning on Wednesday afternoon. Several people have already been hospitalised with heatstroke-like conditions.
More than 100 aftershocks have occurred since the initial tremor. This has led many residents to sleep in their cars, fearing further building collapses. Search and rescue operations involve thousands of personnel, digging through rubble at sites like Kashima's Aeon shopping centre.
The Aeon mall, which had just reopened after previous earthquake damage in 2016, was severely hit. Its president suggested a gas explosion likely caused the blast, though investigations are ongoing. Rescuers also combed a Nippon Paper factory in Yatsushiro city, where at least five people died and eleven were trapped, with seven rescued so far.
The shallow depth of the quake, only 10km, intensified its impact across Kumamoto. Hiroko Ogata, a 75-year-old restaurant owner, described hiding under a table during the violent shaking. She stated, "I have lived here for 75 years, but I have never experienced such a big quake. I thought I would die."