Japan Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 30

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan on Tuesday has risen to 30, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said.

Rescue workers are continuing to search for survivors after the magnitude-6.8 quake caused widespread damage to homes, power lines and industrial facilities across the island of Kyushu.

Several people were killed when part of the Aeon shopping center in Kashima collapsed. An explosion tore through the building about an hour later. Aeon’s president said a gas leak was “very likely” to have caused the blast, although the exact cause remains under investigation.

Rescue operations are also continuing at a partially collapsed Nippon Paper factory in Yatsushiro, where at least five people died. Eleven people were trapped inside the building, seven of whom had been rescued by Wednesday.

About 9,000 displaced residents are staying in evacuation centers, while more than 30,000 households remained without electricity as of Wednesday.

Authorities have warned of extreme heat, with temperatures forecast to reach 39C in Kumamoto Prefecture in the coming days. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the delivery of 300 air conditioners, half of which are being sent to evacuation centers.

More than 100 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial quake, prompting many residents to sleep in their cars for fear of further tremors.

(BBC, lud)