Fatalities confirmed following 7.1 magnitude earthquake in southern Japan
Multiple fatalities are reported in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake caused structural collapses and widespread power outages.
Japanese authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities following a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu island on Tuesday, which was followed by a magnitude 3 aftershock.
Emergency personnel are searching for survivors at a Kashima shopping center where a second-floor collapse, triggered by a suspected explosion, trapped numerous people inside. Search operations also remain underway at a local paper factory where several workers went missing after a chimney collapsed.
The earthquake caused widespread structural damage, including collapsed castle walls, a destroyed footbridge, and damaged roads. Over 40,000 households are currently without electricity, and more than 150,000 residents were directed to evacuation shelters. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi noted that "the full extent of the damage has yet to be determined" as rescue efforts continue. An initial tsunami warning was lifted shortly after the quake.
Sources: BBC News, Die Zeit, NOS, ORF, TV 2 Nyheter.
Sources
- TV 2 Nyheter — Jordskjelv med styrke 7,1 har rammet det sørlige Japan
- Die Zeit — Erdbeben in Japan: Schweres Erdbeben in Japan bringt Einkaufszentrum zum Einsturz
- ORF — Erdbeben in Japan: Opfer und schwere Schäden befürchtet
- NOS (Nederlandse Omroep Stichting) — Vrees voor doden in ingestort winkelcentrum Japan, nieuwe aardbeving in zelfde gebied
- BBC News — Watch: The moment quake hit Japan
Earlier coverage
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- Jul 29, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCJapan earthquake death toll rises to 13 as rescue operations continue in Kyushu