Lead
The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Japan this week has risen to 34, authorities said on Friday. The Kumamoto prefecture government confirmed the figure, up from 25 previously, and added that six more people were seriously injured.
The magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck on Tuesday near the city of Uki, knocking out power to about 40,000 homes, halting rail services, and triggering tsunami warnings in areas of Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Coverage Comparison
The Jerusalem Post reported that the death toll rose to 34 from 25 on Friday, with six people seriously injured. The outlet also noted that around 260,000 people were given evacuation orders, power to thousands of homes was knocked out, and roads were torn apart across the region.
The South China Morning Post provided additional details, reporting that rescue operations at an Aeon shopping centre had ended. According to the prefectural government, seven workers died in an explosion at the centre shortly after the earthquake, and there should be no more people unaccounted for. The newspaper also reported that across the prefecture, 36 people, including those at the shopping centre, were killed in the quake and 11 were seriously injured. The Al Jazeera report, however, cited the prefecture government's figure of 34 deaths and six serious injuries.
Key Claims
- A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck southwestern Japan on Tuesday, according to multiple sources.
- The death toll was reported as 34 by the Kumamoto prefecture government, as cited by the Jerusalem Post and Al Jazeera.
- Six people were seriously injured, according to the prefecture, as reported by Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post.
- The South China Morning Post reported a different figure of 11 seriously injured, citing the prefecture.
- Seven workers died in an explosion at an Aeon shopping centre, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
- The South China Morning Post reported 36 deaths in the quake, including those at the shopping centre, while other sources cited 34.
- More than 9,000 people were evacuated, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
- Around 260,000 people were given evacuation orders, according to the Jerusalem Post.
- The South China Morning Post reported that 3,429 houses were damaged, including 181 destroyed.
- Some 69,400 households were still without water, according to the South China Morning Post.
- Power to thousands of homes was knocked out, as reported by multiple sources.
- Tsunami warnings were triggered in areas of Kyushu, according to Al Jazeera.
- Roads were torn apart across the region, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
The Japanese government issued emergency earthquake warnings for Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, and Miyazaki prefectures, all on Japan's southern island of Kyushu, according to the Jerusalem Post. Public broadcaster NHK showed several buildings on fire or collapsed, large cracks along roads, including an elevated highway, and a derailed goods train, the outlet reported.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has urged residents to remain vigilant for further strong aftershocks, as reported by Al Jazeera. Communities in the region are also facing water shortages amid ongoing summer heat, complicating relief efforts, the outlet added.
Efforts to restore water and other infrastructure are continuing, with some 69,400 households still without water amid scorching heat, according to the South China Morning Post. Many evacuees are staying in their cars with the air conditioning running and have faced petrol shortages, with long queues forming at gas stations. The central government has asked petroleum wholesalers to increase deliveries to Kumamoto, with supplies expected to reach four times the prefecture’s usual level, the outlet reported.
Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries. A previous major quake in Kumamoto a decade ago killed 275 people, as noted by Al Jazeera.