Search continues in Japan following earthquake as wildfires impact Europe

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Posted Jul 30, 2026, 03:30 PM UTC · In the digest of 2026-07-30-1530
Search continues in Japan following earthquake as wildfires impact Europe
Photo: Il Messaggero

Rescuers in Japan search for survivors after a magnitude 7.1 quake, while Europe contends with severe wildfires across France, Spain, Greece, and the UK.

Emergency responders in Japan are continuing rescue efforts following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto prefecture that killed 13 people and displaced over 9,000 residents. Search operations remain focused on trapped individuals after a structural collapse and explosion at a shopping mall in Kashima, alongside a destroyed paper mill. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed extensive infrastructure damage.

Meanwhile, wildfires continue to affect parts of Europe. In France, fires near Bordeaux led officials to distribute 1.5 million FFP2 masks to shield residents from heavy smoke. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the conclusion of the national state of emergency, although a new blaze broke out near the border with Portugal. Additionally, recent fires forced evacuations in Crete's Rethymno region, while another blaze was monitored near a nuclear plant in Suffolk, United Kingdom.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero.

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