Death toll rises in Japan earthquake as wildfires displace thousands in Europe
At least 13 people died after a 7.1 earthquake in Japan, while severe wildfires forced 260,000 evacuations in France and Spain, and a building collapsed in Messina, Italy.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed 13 fatalities following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto prefecture, with more than 9,000 residents moved to emergency shelters. Search efforts remain active at a destroyed paper mill and the Aeon Mall in Kashima, where part of the structure collapsed.
Across southwestern Europe, historic wildfires have forced over 260,000 evacuations across France and Spain. French officials ordered the distribution of 1.5 million FFP2 protective masks around Bordeaux, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stressed that saving lives remains the top priority as fires threaten the Madrid region.
In Messina, Italy, emergency teams are searching for at least seven missing people following a structural collapse caused by a building explosion in the Pistunina district that left three individuals hospitalized.
Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero.
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Earlier coverage
- Aug 1, 2026, 02:30 PM UTCDisasters strike Italy, Japan, and Western Europe as emergency services respond
- Aug 1, 2026, 11:30 AM UTCSeismic swarm hits Naples as global disasters spark widespread evacuations
- Aug 1, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCEmergency operations continue across Europe and Asia following severe disasters
- Aug 1, 2026, 08:30 AM UTCEmergency services respond to European wildfires and Japan earthquake
- Aug 1, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCDisasters spark evacuations and rescue operations in Europe and Japan
- Jul 31, 2026, 02:30 PM UTCMore than 300,000 evacuated as historic wildfires worsen in France and Spain
- Jul 30, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCBuilding collapses in Messina following explosion as disasters hit Europe and Japan
- Jul 30, 2026, 03:30 PM UTCSearch continues in Japan following earthquake as wildfires impact Europe
- Jul 30, 2026, 02:30 PM UTCSpanish authorities declare end of wildfire national emergency as Mediterranean blazes continue
- Jul 29, 2026, 08:00 PM UTCJapan quake death toll reaches 13 while wildfires force mass evacuations in Europe