Powerful 7.0 earthquake devastates Japan’s Kumamoto
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Japan’s Kumamoto region on July 28, leaving at least 13 people dead and triggering more than 100 aftershocks.
Rescue teams are searching through the rubble of hundreds of collapsed homes, roads, and bridges to free trapped residents.
Emergency response underway
Thousands of emergency personnel and military forces are racing against time to extract survivors from damaged buildings.
Injury counts continue to rise by the hour, leaving local medical facilities severely overwhelmed.
"During the earthquakes ten years ago, there was no damage, but this time the outbuilding collapsed," a local resident reported. "Deep cracks have opened up across the ground in several places."
Infrastructure and industrial impact
More than 36,000 households remain without electricity across the affected zone. Several major corporations with local manufacturing plants have announced immediate suspensions of their operations.
The earthquake also triggered a powerful explosion at a shopping center in Kashima, causing the entire second floor to collapse.
Authorities confirmed three deaths at the site, with one person in cardiopulmonary arrest and at least three others reported missing.
Industrial explosions and warnings
"Staff guided customers toward the exits and organized an immediate evacuation," said Akio Yoshida, president of the operating company. "By around 5:00 PM, all customers and staff were evacuated to the parking lot, and the explosion occurred roughly 50 minutes later."
A separate explosion rocked a paper mill located approximately 900 kilometers from Tokyo, causing a massive industrial chimney to collapse.
Japan Self-Defense Forces have joined emergency responders on the ground, distributing water, food, and relief supplies to survivors facing extreme heat.
"Many people are still waiting for help, and this is a race against time," stated Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. "We will do everything in our power to locate and save as many lives as possible."
Officials continue to warn the public of potential major aftershocks in the coming days, citing the seismic patterns experienced a decade ago.
On April 14, 2016, Kumamoto Prefecture was hit by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake, which was followed just 28 hours later by a more powerful magnitude 7.0 mainshock.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
