Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced that 13 individuals lost their lives following a strong tremor that struck parts of southwestern Japan. Rescue teams are tirelessly searching for missing persons as of Wednesday morning. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.1, hit the Kumamoto region on Kyushu’s southern main island late Tuesday afternoon.
Takaichi emphasized the urgency of rescuing those still awaiting assistance, stating, “We are fully committed to locating and saving as many individuals as possible.” She extended her sympathies to the victims and their families, advising those impacted by the quake to take precautions in the hot weather. Japan’s Self Defense Forces are cooperating with rescue teams, providing essential supplies to heavily affected areas, including a severely damaged shopping center.
The Aeon Mall in Kashima Town suffered a collapse on its second floor, trapping individuals, according to the Kumamoto prefectural fire department. Additionally, a chimney at Nippon Paper Industries Co.’s Yatsushiro factory fell, trapping people under debris. The affected area is approximately 900 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Fortunately, no significant damage was reported to major public facilities or infrastructure by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, and nearby nuclear power plants showed no abnormalities, as confirmed by the Nuclear Regulation Authority.
Kyodo News reported that a hospital in Yatsushiro admitted around 40 injured individuals, while another 50 were taken to a hospital in Kumamoto city. Several prominent manufacturers in Kyushu temporarily halted operations on Tuesday but found no major damages and were set to resume work on Wednesday. The runway at Aso Kumamoto Airport remained closed, with no specified timeline for reopening.
A train at Yatsushiro station derailed and toppled over, and Kumamoto Castle’s stone walls sustained damage. Hiroki Shimoda, an official at Mifune town hall, expressed fear as the tremors reminded him of the devastating 2016 Kumamoto quake, which claimed numerous lives. Shinji Kiyomoto from the Japan Meteorological Agency advised residents to remain cautious due to potential aftershocks over the next few days.
