TOKYO, July 29 (Wednesday) — At least 13 people have been killed after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Japan, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed, warning that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue efforts to locate and save people trapped beneath collapsed structures.
According to a BBC report published on Wednesday, the Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu Island suffered the most severe damage from the earthquake. Several buildings, including a shopping mall, were damaged, while local authorities reported that many people remained trapped under debris.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Takaichi said rescue workers were racing against time to reach survivors. “Every moment is precious. The government will mobilize all available resources to rescue those who remain trapped,” she said.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake struck at 4:27 p.m. local time on Tuesday in an inland area of Kyushu Island. As the epicentre was located in a relatively shallow region beneath the sea, the intensity of shaking was strongly felt across the affected areas.
Videos circulating on social media showed the impact of the powerful tremor, with goods falling from shelves inside a shop while frightened children were seen crying amid the chaos. Witnesses said the intense shaking lasted for several seconds, triggering widespread panic among residents.
Geologists said the earthquake may have been caused by movement along an active fault line that remained unstable after the major earthquakes that struck the region in 2016. Earlier this year, in April, two earthquakes measuring 6.5 and 7.3 magnitude hit the same area, killing more than 270 people.
Authorities said emergency operations are continuing in the affected areas, including rescue missions, damage assessments and preparations to deal with possible aftershocks.
Sources: BBC; United States Geological Survey (USGS).