Japan Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 35 Amid Search for Trapped Survivors

The death toll from a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck southwestern Japan on Tuesday has climbed to 35, local authorities reported Friday. Rescue teams continue their desperate search for survivors trapped beneath the rubble of a shopping center in Kashima, which reportedly suffered an explosion, possibly due to a gas leak, following the seismic event. The collapsed Aeon Mall building is a focal point of the ongoing rescue operations.

In addition to the fatalities, hundreds have sustained injuries of varying severity. According to officials in Kumamoto prefecture, more than 9,000 individuals remain displaced and are housed in evacuation centers, enduring extreme heat conditions. The search for those trapped under the debris is particularly critical, as experts consider the first 72 hours post-earthquake to be a crucial window for finding survivors. Despite the challenging circumstances and the passage of time, rescue efforts have been characterized by intense determination.

Mototaka Inaba, a doctor with the NGO Peace Winds Japan, described the operation as one of many hours, with numerous rescuers working tirelessly under the intense heat. He noted the unwavering commitment of the teams, stating, "Given that it was reported that people were still trapped, no one gave up and they continued rescuing with great firmness." Inaba recently returned to Japan after assisting in rescue and relief efforts following a double earthquake in Venezuela. The earthquake, which registered the maximum level on Japan's 7-level seismic intensity scale, caused significant material damage across the region. Japan, situated on the volatile "Ring of Fire," experiences frequent seismic activity, and its infrastructure is built to withstand such tremors.

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It was an operation of many hours and there was a large number of rescuers working tirelessly under a strong heat. Given that it was reported that still people were trapped, nobody gave up and they continued rescuing with much firmness.