Japan Quake Death Toll Rises as Rescue Efforts Continue

KUMAMOTO – Rescue teams in southwestern Japan raced against time on Wednesday after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu Island, killing at least 13 people, injuring dozens, and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate as aftershocks continued across the region.

According to Reuters, the earthquake struck at a depth of about 10 kilometers, causing severe structural damage, widespread power outages, and major disruptions to transportation. One of the deadliest incidents occurred near Kumamoto City, where part of a shopping mall collapsed before an explosion ripped through the building, trapping several people beneath the debris.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ordered the immediate deployment of Japan's Self-Defense Forces, police officers, and firefighters to accelerate rescue operations.

"Our highest priority is saving lives and rescuing everyone who may still be trapped," Takaichi said, according to Reuters.

Japan's Meteorological Agency initially issued a tsunami advisory following the quake before later lifting it. Authorities, however, warned residents to remain alert for strong aftershocks and possible landslides, particularly in mountainous areas affected by recent rainfall.

The disaster has also disrupted Japan's industrial sector. Reuters reported that major manufacturers, including Sony, Renesas Electronics, Toyota, Honda, and TSMC, temporarily suspended operations to inspect facilities and ensure worker safety, raising concerns over potential supply chain disruptions in the global technology and automotive industries.

The Associated Press said more than 8,000 residents have taken shelter in evacuation centers after thousands of households lost electricity and water supplies. Rescue workers continue searching collapsed structures with heavy machinery and search dogs despite intense heat and repeated aftershocks.

The latest disaster has revived memories of the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes. Seismologists note that Japan remains one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries because it sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several major tectonic plates converge.