Death Toll from 6.8-Magnitude Earthquake in Japan Rises to 30

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Japan has risen to 30, while rescue teams continue searching for survivors beneath the rubble.

The 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu on Tuesday, causing extensive damage to homes, buildings and the power grid. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed the news.

Some of the victims were killed when part of a shopping mall collapsed, while about an hour later, an explosion suspected to have been caused by a gas leak further damaged the building. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

About 9,000 displaced people are staying in evacuation centers, while more than 30,000 households remain without electricity. Authorities have warned that temperatures in the coming days could reach as high as 39 degrees Celsius, increasing the risk of heatstroke.

To address the situation, Japan’s Ministry of Defense has sent 300 air conditioners to the affected areas, half of which will be installed in evacuation centers.

More than 100 aftershocks have been recorded since the earthquake. Fear of further earthquakes has forced many residents to spend the night in their vehicles.

Search-and-rescue operations have focused on the Aeon shopping mall in Kashima, where part of the second floor collapsed, as well as a Nippon Paper factory in the city of Yatsushiro.

At least five people were killed at the factory, while several workers were trapped beneath the rubble. So far, seven of them have been pulled out alive.

The earthquake, which struck at a depth of only 10 kilometers, was strongly felt throughout the Kumamoto region. Residents described it as one of the strongest tremors they had ever experienced.