The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture has risen to 34, as emergency teams continue searching for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings despite intense summer heat.
Authorities confirmed on Thursday that seven more bodies were recovered from the wreckage of the Aeon shopping mall, which collapsed after the 7.1-magnitude earthquake and was later rocked by a suspected gas explosion. Eight additional victims were found at a paper factory in Yatsushiro, where part of a smokestack collapsed during the quake.
Officials said five people remain in critical condition, while nearly 9,500 residents are staying in evacuation centres across Kyushu. More than 13,000 households are still without electricity, and many communities continue to face shortages of water and other essential services.
The disaster has destroyed homes, damaged bridges, sparked fires, and disrupted daily life across the region. Temperatures are expected to reach 38°C this weekend, making conditions especially difficult for displaced residents, many of whom are elderly.
Emergency shelters have been set up to provide relief from the heat, with authorities distributing air-conditioning units, drinking water, and other emergency supplies. Long queues were also reported at petrol stations and water distribution points.
Residents described terrifying moments as the earthquake shook the ground violently, leaving roads cracked and buildings heavily damaged. Many said they were forced to sleep in evacuation centres or inside their vehicles due to unsafe living conditions.
Rescue operations remain focused on the destroyed shopping mall, where officials fear more people may still be trapped. In a rare piece of positive news, all 25 cats from a nearby cat café were rescued safely.
Japan's Meteorological Agency measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.1, while the U.S. Geological Survey recorded it as magnitude 6.8. Japan, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries and experiences frequent seismic activity.
The latest disaster has revived memories of the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, as well as the deadly Kumamoto earthquakes of 2016. Rescue teams continue working around the clock in hopes of finding more survivors.
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