Tokyo, August 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture has risen to 38, local authorities said on Sunday.
Officials at the Kumamoto Prefecture Government’s disaster response headquarters said the toll includes cases where investigations are still underway to determine whether the deaths were directly linked to the magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
Rescue operations continued at several damaged locations across the prefecture. At a Nippon Paper factory in Yatsushiro City, where a smokestack collapsed following the quake, rescuers pulled 10 people from the site. Eight were confirmed dead, while two others suffered injuries. One missing person was later found in the rubble, though details about the person’s condition were not immediately available.
At Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima Town, where a major explosion occurred after the earthquake, 12 people were rescued. Seven of them were confirmed dead, while five sustained injuries. Police and firefighters continued search operations to determine whether anyone remained trapped inside the building.
More than 9,400 people are currently taking shelter at 406 evacuation centres across Kumamoto Prefecture, officials said.
The earthquake has also caused widespread disruption to essential services. Around 79,700 households remain without water supply, with authorities unable to provide a timeline for restoration in several affected areas. Nearly 19,000 households were also without electricity, though power restoration efforts were underway.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi chaired a disaster response meeting on Wednesday and expressed condolences to those who lost their lives. She assured that the government was working with relevant agencies to assess damage and coordinate relief measures.
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