Japan maintains one of the world’s most advanced earthquake preparedness systems, with strict building standards, early warning technology and regular disaster drills.
Powerful earthquakes can still cause severe damage, particularly in densely populated areas and communities close to fault lines.
The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Japan has risen to 13, with rescue teams continuing a large-scale search for people still missing, Japanese authorities said Wednesday.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that 13 people had been found dead following the strong earthquake that hit the Kumamoto area on the southern island of Kyushu late Tuesday afternoon.
Many others were reported injured, while emergency crews continued searching through damaged areas overnight in hopes of finding survivors.
The earthquake, measured at magnitude 7.1, caused widespread damage across parts of Kumamoto and surrounding communities, shaking buildings, damaging infrastructure and triggering emergency response operations.
Rescue workers, firefighters and police teams were deployed immediately after the quake as reports emerged of collapsed structures and people trapped under debris.
Authorities warned that the number of casualties could rise as search operations continued. Rescue teams worked through difficult conditions, including unstable buildings and aftershocks that complicated efforts to reach affected areas.
Local officials urged residents in damaged communities to remain alert and follow evacuation instructions, particularly as the possibility of additional tremors remained.
Temporary shelters were opened for people who could not return to their homes because of structural damage or safety concerns.
The earthquake struck one of Japan’s most seismically active regions. Kyushu has experienced several major earthquakes in recent years, including a devastating series of quakes in 2016 that caused significant destruction in the Kumamoto region.
Japan maintains one of the world’s most advanced earthquake preparedness systems, with strict building standards, early warning technology and regular disaster drills.
However, powerful earthquakes can still cause severe damage, particularly in densely populated areas and communities close to fault lines.
Emergency agencies said rescue and recovery operations would continue as teams assess the full scale of the destruction, provide medical assistance to injured residents and search for those who remain unaccounted for.
