Death toll from Japan earthquake rises to 18

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Japan on Tuesday has risen to 18 people, Report informs, citing the Associated Press.

It was noted that at least 62 individuals were injured, six of them in serious condition.

Rescue teams and military personnel are continuing search and recovery operations, with officials warning that the number of casualties could increase.

The quake left around 40,000 people without electricity, while 9,500 homes lost gas and communications. More than 9,000 residents evacuated their homes and are currently staying in temporary shelters.

09:40

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kyushu Island, Japan, leaving at least six people dead, Report informs, citing local authorities.

In Kashima city, Kumamoto prefecture, a suspected gas explosion occurred at the Aeon shopping mall following the tremors. Two people died, one was in critical condition, and eight were rescued from the rubble, five of whom were injured. Earlier, contact had been lost with 20–30 mall employees.

The quake also caused damage at the Nippon Paper Industries plant, where a smoke stack collapsed. Two people were found in critical condition, and nine others remain unaccounted for. In Yatsushiro city, one person was killed when a building collapsed; the body was recovered from the debris. Hospitals across Kyushu have received dozens of injured individuals.

According to Kyodo, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi later confirmed that the death toll had risen to 13.