1 hour ago
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto in southwestern Japan, leaving 13 people dead. Rescue work continued into Wednesday as injuries, damage and large-scale evacuations mounted.
Around 260,000 people were instructed to go to evacuation centres.
UPDATED: Jul 29, 2026 07:08 IST
At least 13 people were killed and several others remain missing after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southwestern Kumamoto region, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Wednesday as rescue operations continued overnight.
The earthquake hit the Kumamoto area on the southern main island of Kyushu late Tuesday afternoon, triggering widespread damage and forcing mass evacuations.
Takaichi said many others were injured, with emergency teams continuing search and rescue efforts for those trapped or unaccounted for.
Among the major incidents, part of a shopping centre collapsed, apparently due to a gas leak, while a massive chimney at a paper factory also came down following the tremors.
According to Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency, more than 260,000 people were advised to evacuate, primarily in Kumamoto prefecture, with evacuation orders also issued in neighbouring Nagasaki prefecture.
- Ends
Published On:
Jul 29, 2026 07:08 IST
