Tokyo, Japan / RankWire.AI / – On Friday, search and rescue crews in southwestern Japan kept removing heavy debris despite severe weather, following a strong earthquake on Kyushu. Local authorities confirmed that the death toll has increased to 34. Rescue teams pulled more victims from collapsed buildings and commercial sites. The quake had a magnitude of 7.1—though the U.S. Geological Survey measured it at 6.8. It struck Kumamoto Prefecture at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers on Tuesday afternoon, causing widespread building collapses and ground shifts.
Authorities in Kumamoto Prefecture reported at least 86 injuries from the tremor. Six of those injured remain in critical condition and are under intensive care. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the seismic activity reached the highest level 7 on the national scale, marking Japan’s most intense earthquake since the Noto Peninsula event in early 2024. Damage reports show ground movement up to 87 centimeters in heavily affected areas. This caused ruptures in water pipelines and fractures across key highways.
Emergency records reveal that nearly half of the deaths occurred in major industrial and commercial building collapses. Eight workers at a Nippon Paper Industries facility in Yatsushiro died when a large concrete chimney fell onto the main processing plant. Rescue teams recovered two survivors from the debris. Meanwhile, local officials said the Yatsushiro town hall suffered damage to its base isolation system, despite recent seismic retrofitting efforts.
Search Teams Continue Clearing Debris Across Southwestern Municipalities
Secondary hazards caused additional casualties in Kumamoto’s commercial zones. At a retail complex managed by Aeon Co. in Kashima, six workers died when a gas explosion after the quake brought down the second floor. Emergency responders evacuated about 3,000 shoppers to nearby parking areas within half an hour of the tremor. After the explosion, crews focused on removing rubble and securing gas lines in the commercial district.
Kyushu’s industrial infrastructure faced major disruptions. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company confirmed that its Kumamoto factory temporarily shut down for safety checks and equipment calibration. Company officials said it would take several days to evaluate cleanroom conditions and verify structural safety before production can resume normally on key lines.
Maximum Level Seven Ground Shaking Recorded by Seismic Data
Government agencies deployed large teams and resources to aid displaced residents and stabilize communities across the island. Japan’s Ministry of Defense sent about 4,900 Self-Defense Forces personnel to lead search efforts, clear roads, and deliver supplies. Military ships and aircraft brought clean drinking water, emergency food, and cooling equipment to over 400 shelters housing 15,000 residents during the summer heat of 35 degrees Celsius.
Utility companies continue working to restore essential services in the quake-hit region. Nearly 23,000 households still lack electricity, and 75,000 homes are without municipal water. Civil engineers are inspecting damaged bridges, river embankments, and public infrastructure across Kumamoto. As recovery efforts advance, the official death toll continues to rise, according to reports on Japan’s earthquake situation.