Tokyo, July 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The death toll from the powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture has risen to 28, including deaths suspected to be disaster-related, as rescue teams continued search operations in the affected region on Thursday.
According to local media reports citing government officials, search efforts remain focused on the Nippon Paper Industries plant in Yatsushiro, where one person is still missing.
Data released by the Kumamoto prefectural government confirmed 17 deaths, including eight at the paper plant and five at an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima, where an explosion occurred following Tuesday’s earthquake. Authorities also reported that six other people were showing no vital signs, raising fears that the death toll could increase further as rescue operations continue in areas where several buildings have collapsed.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said casualty figures released by the central government and the prefectural administration differ because the national government relies on reports from police and fire departments, while the prefecture compiles data received from municipal authorities.
The disaster has displaced thousands of residents, with more than 10,000 people currently staying in evacuation centres. Officials said around 23,000 households remain without electricity, while nearly 75,000 households are facing water supply disruptions.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture at 4:27 p.m. local time on Tuesday, with its epicentre located at a depth of 10 kilometres.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi chaired the Second Extraordinary Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting to review the response to the disaster. The meeting was attended virtually by Kumamoto Governor Kimura and Deputy Minister Tsushima of the Cabinet Office.
Expressing condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, Takaichi said the government was working swiftly to assess the damage and restore essential services, including electricity and water supplies. She noted that the Japan Self-Defence Forces were also engaged in water distribution and medical evacuation operations.
In a post on X after the meeting, the Prime Minister said the number of personnel involved in rescue efforts had been significantly increased, with around 4,600 Self-Defence Forces personnel, 2,000 police officers, and 1,400 firefighters deployed.
Describing search and rescue operations as “a race against time,” Takaichi said efforts were continuing at locations including the Aeon Mall Kumamoto and the Nippon Paper Yatsushiro Mill, where people were still believed to be trapped.
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