The death toll from a 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday has risen to 34, government officials confirmed on Friday. The Kumamoto prefectural government also reported that six other individuals sustained serious injuries from the seismic event, which occurred near the city of Uki on the southern island of Kyushu.
The updated figures represent an increase from the 25 fatalities reported earlier in the week. According to authorities, a significant number of the deaths were concentrated in two specific incidents. One involved structural damage at a paper mill operated by Nippon Paper Industries. A second incident, described as a possible gas explosion, occurred at an Aeon retail store. Rescue operations have been underway since the earthquake struck.
The earthquake’s impact was felt across the region. Officials reported that power was initially cut to approximately 40,000 homes following the tremor. The event also prompted a halt in regional rail services and triggered tsunami warnings for coastal areas of Kyushu, though no major tsunami waves were reported.
In response to the earthquake, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi issued a statement urging residents in the affected areas to remain vigilant for strong aftershocks, which can follow a major quake.
Relief and recovery efforts are facing additional challenges. Communities in the region are contending with water shortages, a situation made more difficult by ongoing summer heat.
Japan is located in a seismically active region and has extensive experience with earthquakes. A decade prior, another major earthquake in the Kumamoto region resulted in 275 deaths, according to historical government data.
