Japan earthquake aftershocks kept rescue crews working under pressure in Kyushu after a powerful quake left at least 13 dead and many still missing.
Japan earthquake aftershocks have continued to rattle the south-western Kyushu region after a powerful quake on Tuesday left at least 13 people dead and sent rescuers scrambling through wreckage in blistering heat. The Japan earthquake aftershocks have kept emergency crews on edge as they search damaged buildings and try to reach people still believed to be trapped.
Search teams are working at a paper factory and a shopping mall in Kumamoto prefecture, where the mall also suffered an explosion in the hour after the quake. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the situation was “truly a race against time,” while noting that thousands have moved into evacuation centres and many homes remain without electricity. Officials said more than 4,600 personnel have been deployed to the response.
The Japan Meteorological Agency is warning residents to stay alert for strong aftershocks. A JMA official said people should watch for the possibility of earthquakes with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 for about the next week, especially over the next two to three days. That warning has added another layer of strain to a rescue effort already slowed by heat, damaged roads, and uncertain reports from the hardest-hit areas.
One of the worst-hit sites was the Aeon Mall in Kashima, where part of the second floor collapsed. Broadcast footage showed white smoke rising as people ran toward the car park, while portions of the exterior were blown away and the steel frame underneath was exposed. Three people remain unaccounted for there, and Aeon Mall president Akio Yoshida confirmed that three people were killed in the explosion. He said four others were taken to hospital, one person was pulled from a bathroom, and another was in cardiac arrest. Yoshida also offered an apology at a news conference on Wednesday.
“Japan earthquake aftershocks kept rescue crews working under pressure in Kyushu after a powerful quake left at least 13 dead and many still missing.”
Another scene of concern was a factory in Yatsushiro City, where NHK reported that two people were found with no signs of life and nine others were unaccounted for. Takaichi said that even more than 20 hours after the earthquake, some people still needed help. Officials also urged rescuers and survivors to guard against heatstroke as temperatures climbed to about 35C, or 95F. Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi said about 300 air conditioning units would be flown to Kumamoto and sent to the worst-hit areas.
The earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island at 16:27 local time on Tuesday, with the Japan Meteorological Agency measuring its magnitude at 7.1 before the US Geological Survey later put it at 6.8. The quake was shallow, with an epicentre about 20 kilometers south of Kumamoto city and a depth of 10 kilometers. NHK footage showed cracked roads and bridges, several fires, suspended train service, and power cuts affecting thousands of homes.
By Wednesday morning, residents were waking up to damaged streets, collapsed buildings, and the ruined worship hall of the 19th Century Yatshushiro Shrine. One resident, 75-year-old Hiroko Ogata, told the BBC she had never experienced anything like it in her life and feared she might die. American tourist Chantel Mohar, who was in Kumamoto with her family, said bus passengers felt the rocking and confusion as earthquake alerts sounded on their phones. The wider significance is plain: when a major quake hits a populated region, the first hours decide lives, and Americans watching from afar can see how quickly disaster, infrastructure failure, and human endurance collide.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were killed in the earthquake and related incidents?
At least 13 people were reported dead. Aeon Mall president Akio Yoshida also said three people were killed in the mall explosion.
Where are rescuers searching for missing people?
Search teams are working at a paper factory and a shopping mall in Kumamoto prefecture. People were also reported unaccounted for at the Aeon Mall in Kashima and a factory in Yatsushiro City.
What did Japanese officials warn about after the quake?
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned residents to stay alert for strong aftershocks, including possible earthquakes with maximum seismic intensity of 7 for about the next week.
What problems are making rescue efforts harder?
The response is being slowed by blistering heat, damaged roads, power cuts, and continued aftershocks. Officials also warned rescuers and survivors to guard against heatstroke.
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