Japan earthquake death toll rises to 17 amid challenging rescue conditions

The death toll from a powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck Japan's Kumamoto prefecture has climbed to 17, as rescue operations face significant challenges. At least 62 people have been injured, and fears are growing that the number of casualties will increase.

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There are people who are still waiting to be rescued, and it’s a race against time.

Rescue workers, including nearly 5,000 Self-Defence Forces personnel, are contending with extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 35C, and a significant 5.8 magnitude aftershock that struck overnight. Efforts are particularly focused on a badly damaged shopping mall in Kashima, where about 170 rescue workers are searching through the rubble. Eight people were pulled from the mall, but three of them died. Some homes in residential areas have been completely flattened.

Thousands of homes are still without electricity and running water. More than 8,800 people have evacuated their homes and are staying in over 400 shelters, where authorities are working to provide air conditioning. The Japanese government has pledged to "go all out to find and rescue as many people as we can," acknowledging the "race against time" for those still trapped.

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We will go all out to find and rescue as many people as we can.

Some residents described the quake as the strongest they had ever experienced. The earthquake caused extensive damage, including collapsed buildings, fires, and damaged roads. Manufacturers with plants in the Kyushu region are also assessing the impact on their operations.

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It was the strongest quake I ever experienced.