Kumamoto earthquake death toll reaches 38 amid sweltering heat

A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto, Japan, has claimed 38 lives and forced over 9,000 residents into temporary shelters, with rescue and recovery efforts complicated by a severe heatwave.

The disaster, which hit Kumamoto prefecture on April 28, has also left 12 people in serious condition, and the death toll is expected to rise as search operations continue in collapsed structures. Rescue efforts at the 'Aeon Mall,' which saw 11 rescued but 9 fatalities, and the Japan Paper Yatsushiro factory, where 7 of 12 rescued individuals died, have concluded. Reports suggest one victim at the mall re-entered the building after being asked by a colleague to retrieve money from a safe.

Beyond the casualties, the earthquake completely destroyed 181 homes and severely damaged over 3,000 others, leaving 9,226 people residing in 210 evacuation centers. Many of the 50,000 households experiencing water and electricity outages are struggling with basic necessities. Temporary toilets have been set up in some evacuation sites, and emergency water supply is being provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism due to damaged water mains.

Adding to the misery, the region is enduring extreme summer heat, with temperatures forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius. This has led to at least one suspected heatstroke death, where a woman in her 70s, who was sleeping in her car due to fears of her house collapsing, was found dead. Authorities are urging residents experiencing symptoms like dizziness or nausea while staying in vehicles to call for an ambulance immediately.

Despite the devastation, major aftershocks have not occurred, with only intermittent tremors recorded. Local governments are beginning to mobilize volunteers to assist with the recovery, and the national government plans for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to visit the affected areas. Residents express anxiety over dwindling water supplies and the inability to bathe for days, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the aftermath of the earthquake.