Death toll from earthquake in Kumamoto, Japan rises to 13
The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture has risen to 13, including people whose deaths are still being investigated for a possible connection to the disaster, according to Prime Minister Takaichi.
Takaichi announced the updated toll at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday local time. She said the earthquake caused widespread damage, including injuries, building collapses, fires and damaged roads.
“I offer my deepest condolences to those who have lost their lives and my sympathies to their families,” Takaichi said. “I extend my heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the disaster.”
Officials did not immediately provide a breakdown of the 13 deaths or say how many remain under investigation.
The magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck at 4:27 p.m. Tuesday at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The epicenter was 5.2 kilometers (3.2 miles) west of Uto and 14.1 kilometers (8.8 miles) north-northwest of the city of Kumamoto.
Nearly 2 million people may have experienced strong to violent shaking, according to the USGS.
Across the region, homes collapsed and bridges partially gave way. The earthquake also caused new damage at Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan’s best-known historic landmarks, which was severely damaged in the 2016 earthquakes.
At Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima, an explosion occurred after approximately 200 customers and employees evacuated the building. Two women in their 20s died, while another person was reported to be in cardiac arrest.
The cause of the explosion has not been determined. A senior government official said there had been a report of a gas leak, but it was unclear whether it caused the blast.
At the Nippon Paper Industries Yatsushiro Plant, a chimney collapsed during the earthquake. Earlier reports said two people had been found in cardiopulmonary arrest and nine others were missing.
Hospitals across Kumamoto treated large numbers of injured people, while at least 43 medical facilities reported damage or disruptions involving electricity, water or medical gas systems.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
