Death Toll from Powerful Japan Earthquake Reaches 30, Prime Minister Takaichi Says
Dragon Media News Desk
The number of people killed in the powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Japan, including deaths potentially linked to the disaster, has risen to 30, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said.
Addressing a meeting of the government headquarters coordinating rescue and relief operations, Takaichi provided an update on the human toll from the disaster.
The central government’s figure includes deaths formally confirmed by local authorities and other cases still under investigation to determine whether they were directly related to the earthquake.
The Kumamoto prefectural government had officially confirmed 17 deaths as of 7:30 a.m. on July 30. Differences among figures released by various agencies reflect ongoing investigations into whether several additional deaths were caused by the disaster.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region at 4:27 p.m. on July 28. Its focus was located at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres.
The earthquake destroyed homes and other structures and caused extensive damage to roads, electricity networks and water-supply infrastructure.
Thousands of residents have been moved to temporary shelters, while electricity and water services remain disrupted in many areas.
Significant casualties were reported after a structure at a paper-manufacturing facility in Kumamoto collapsed and an explosion occurred at a commercial complex following the earthquake.
Rescue teams are continuing to search for people believed to be trapped beneath debris.
The Japanese government has prioritised search and rescue operations, drinking-water distribution, restoration of electricity supplies and the management of evacuation centres.
With high temperatures increasing the risk of heat-related illness among displaced residents, authorities are also installing air-conditioning equipment at shelters and strengthening health-monitoring measures.
