The death toll from the powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan's southwestern Kumamoto Prefecture has risen to 34, according to local authorities. Six other people remain seriously injured as rescue operations continue.
The earthquake struck near the city of Uki on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction across parts of Kyushu. Around 40,000 homes lost electricity, rail services were suspended, and tsunami warnings were briefly issued for coastal areas.
Officials said nearly half of the fatalities resulted from two major incidents: the collapse of structures at a paper mill operated by Nippon Paper Industries and a suspected gas explosion at an Aeon shopping centre.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has urged residents to remain alert, warning that strong aftershocks are still possible. Relief efforts have also been complicated by water shortages and intense summer heat affecting the region.
Japan, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries. A major earthquake that struck Kumamoto about a decade ago claimed 275 lives, making this latest disaster a painful reminder of the country's ongoing seismic risks.
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