Death Toll from Japan Earthquake Climbs to 28 as Survivors Face Extreme Heat
The number of fatalities following a strong earthquake in southwestern Japan has increased to 28, according to officials, as emergency teams continue efforts to locate survivors. The magnitude 6.8 quake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu Island earlier in the week, leaving a trail of destruction that affected homes, infrastructure, and power supply. Among the most severe incidents was the partial collapse of a shopping complex, where casualties were reported, along with a subsequent explosion believed to have been caused by a gas leak, though investigations are still ongoing.
Thousands of residents displaced by the disaster are currently sheltering in evacuation centres, where managing rising temperatures has become a major concern. Weather forecasts indicate that heat levels could climb to around 39°C, prompting authorities to warn both survivors and rescue workers about the risk of heat-related illnesses. In response, the government has begun distributing cooling equipment, including hundreds of air conditioning units, to improve conditions in temporary shelters.
Relief operations remain extensive, with large numbers of rescue personnel deployed to search through debris at heavily impacted sites, including industrial facilities and commercial buildings. Power outages continue to affect tens of thousands of households, while repeated aftershocks have heightened fear among residents, forcing many to sleep in vehicles rather than return indoors. Officials have emphasized that search-and-rescue missions are ongoing, as teams race against time to find anyone still trapped beneath the rubble.
