Japan earthquake death toll rises to 34 as rescuers race to find survivors amid widespread devastation
The death toll from a powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan has risen to 34 as rescue crews continue searching for survivors amid widespread destruction across the Kumamoto region.
The magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kyushu on Tuesday, triggering a mall explosion, toppling a factory chimney and damaging or destroying homes. Authorities said one additional death remains under investigation, while dozens of people have been injured. As rescue efforts entered a fourth day, officials had not determined how many people were still missing.
The disaster has left more than 79,000 households without running water and over 2,700 without electricity. More than 9,000 people remain in emergency shelters, where officials are adding power supplies to provide air conditioning as temperatures climb into the upper 90s. Fuel shortages caused by damaged infrastructure have also forced many evacuees sleeping in their vehicles to conserve gasoline, making it difficult to stay cool during the extreme heat.
The earthquake has also raised concerns about disruptions to Japan's semiconductor and automotive supply chains. A major semiconductor manufacturing facility in Kumamoto temporarily evacuated employees after the quake. Company officials said all workers were safe, and operations are gradually resuming following structural inspections.
Rescue crews continue searching damaged buildings, including the collapsed Aeon Mall in Kashima, where an explosion occurred after thousands of shoppers had been evacuated. Officials said seven people died at the mall and 11 others were rescued, though the number of people still unaccounted for has not been released.
A separate search operation concluded at a paper manufacturing facility in Yatsushiro after a collapsed chimney killed nine people and 11 others were rescued. Search efforts also continued in several hard-hit communities where homes collapsed, though authorities have not provided an estimate of how many people remain missing.
Transportation services are slowly returning, with some Shinkansen bullet train routes back in operation under reduced schedules, while other rail lines remain closed because of earthquake damage.
In the heavily affected town of Hikawa, more than 800 of the community's 4,500 homes were damaged or destroyed. Many residents continue sleeping in vehicles or temporary shelters, fearing additional aftershocks and unsafe buildings as recovery efforts continue.
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