Troops and rescue teams searched through the severely damaged Aeon Mall in Kashima and flattened homes for trapped survivors after the deadly 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the Kumamoto region on Kyushu island.
Rescue Operations Ongoing
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said, "There are people who are still waiting to be rescued, and it's a race against time. We will go all out to find and rescue as many people as we can." The earthquake claimed at least 13 lives and left numerous people missing.
The second storey of the Aeon Mall collapsed, trapping individuals, following an explosion believed to have resulted from a gas leak. A chimney at the Nippon Paper Industries Co.'s Yatsushiro plant also crumbled, burying people under rubble, according to the Kumamoto emergency team. By Wednesday, seven individuals were still believed to be trapped, with two survivors and two bodies recovered.
Thousands Without Power and Water
Chief government spokesman Minoru Kihara informed journalists that approximately 36,900 households remained without power, 9,500 properties lacked gas supplies, and telecommunications networks had failed in certain areas. More than 9,000 residents evacuated their properties to shelter in over 500 emergency centres, and additional power sources were being installed to provide air conditioning at evacuation sites amid a prolonged heatwave with temperatures expected to surpass 32°C.
Government Response and Transport Disruption
Prime Minister Takaichi revealed the federal government was making preparations to supply food and other essential items to severely affected regions. She expressed condolences to those who lost their lives and sympathy to their families, while encouraging victims to look after themselves during the sweltering conditions.
The Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train service remained halted on Wednesday. Aso Kumamoto Airport was restarting operations after shutting one runway on Tuesday, though officials warned some flights might be cancelled.
Damage to Historic Sites
Stone walls sustained damage at Kumamoto Castle, a major tourist attraction that suffered extensive harm in the 2016 earthquake and continues undergoing restoration, Kyodo News reported.
"The shaking reminded me of the Kumamoto quake (10 years ago) and I was frightened," said Hiroki Shimoda, an official at Mifune town hall, who witnessed roof tiles from neighbouring properties tumble to the ground. Kumamoto endured a devastating earthquake in 2016 that claimed at least 50 lives.
