Japan Earthquake: Rescuers Race Against Time as Death Toll Reaches 13

Rescuers are in a race against time after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan's southern island of Kyushu, killing at least 13 people and leaving many missing.

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We have received reports of seven people with serious injuries and 29 with minor injuries. Furthermore, as of 7:00 am today (2200 GMT Tuesday), 9,186 people have sought refuge in 506 evacuation centers across five prefectures, including Kumamoto and Fukuoka.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that over 9,000 people were in evacuation centers as rescue efforts continued. Reports indicated seven serious injuries and 29 minor ones. The earthquake caused significant damage, with buildings collapsing, including a shopping mall where several people were trapped. An explosion, likely from a gas leak, occurred at the damaged mall.

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Even now, there are people waiting to be rescued, and this is a race against time. We will marshal all available resources on the ground to save and rescue as many people as possible.

Authorities are still assessing the full extent of injuries and property damage, including widespread power outages and damaged infrastructure like roads and bridges. However, the Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed the earthquake occurred inland and that the tsunami threat had subsided, with no tsunami activity observed.

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We are still assessing the extent of injuries and property damage, but I have been informed that there have already been several injuries.

Reassurance came from the Nuclear Regulation Authority, which reported no abnormalities at nearby nuclear power plants. This provides a measure of relief in a country still sensitive to nuclear safety concerns following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The earthquake did, however, disrupt electricity supplies to approximately 45,000 households and facilities.

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This earthquake occurred inland, and no tsunami activity has been observed so far. For this reason, we hope to lift the tsunami advisory at a relatively early stage, depending on future sea level conditions.