At least 13 people were killed by the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan on Tuesday, while search-and-rescue operations continue in buildings that sustained severe damage. Several others were reported to be in “cardiopulmonary arrest,” a term commonly used in initial reports in Japan before death is officially confirmed.
The Japan Meteorological Agency estimated the quake’s magnitude at 7.1, while the US Geological Survey revised it to 6.8. The earthquake nevertheless reached the maximum level of 7 on Japan’s shindo seismic intensity scale.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said rescue crews were “racing against time,” as people were still waiting to be freed from the rubble.
At the Aeon shopping mall in the city of Kashima, three employees remain missing and three have been confirmed dead following an explosion that occurred about one hour and 20 minutes after the earthquake, when approximately 3,000 people were inside the building. The cause remains under investigation, although a smell of gas had been reported.
More than 9,000 people have evacuated their homes, while nearly 37,000 households remain without electricity.
Search operations are also continuing at the Nippon Paper Industries plant in Yatsushiro, where a chimney collapsed and people are still missing.
Damage to infrastructure is extensive. Nearly 37,000 households remain without electricity, 9,500 are without gas, and telecommunications have been disrupted in some areas. More than 9,000 people have taken shelter in over 500 evacuation centers.
Authorities are warning of strong aftershocks and landslides in the coming days, while high temperatures are increasing the risk of heatstroke for both those affected and rescue crews.
Πηγές: ΒBC [1], [2], Guardian
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