The emergency remains active in Kumamoto Prefecture, where thousands of rescuers are working against time as aftershocks maintain the risk of further collapses
SANTO DOMINGO.– Japan continues to grapple with the aftermath of the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu Island on Wednesday, with the death toll rising to 18, while dozens remain missing and rescue teams continue an intense search among collapsed buildings, according to reports from EFE and the Spanish newspaper El Mundo.
According to EFE, the Japanese government confirmed that the death toll has risen after more bodies were found in various locations across the prefecture, including the collapse of an industrial chimney in the city of Yatsushiro. Meanwhile, El Mundo reported that another complex rescue operation is underway at an Aeon shopping mall, where an explosion shortly after the earthquake exacerbated structural damage and left several people trapped.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichiassured the public that the government had mobilized "all available resources" to expedite rescue efforts. According to CNN, more than 4,600 members of the Self-Defense Forces, some 2,000 police officers , and around 1,400 firefighters are participating in the operations, which continue under high temperatures and with the constant risk of further collapses.
The aftershocks keep the alert going
The emergency did not end with the main earthquake. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), dozens of aftershocks have been recorded since Tuesday, and on Wednesday a new earthquake of magnitude 5.8 shook Kumamoto again, so authorities are maintaining their warning about the possibility of more earthquakes of similar intensity in the coming days.
Authorities are also monitoring for possible landslides due to the shallow depth of the epicenter, a situation that further hinders rescuers' access to the worst-affected areas.
Thousands remain outside their homes
According to EFE, approximately 8,900 people remain evacuated, while tens of thousands of homes continue to be affected by power and water outages. In addition, several roads, railway lines, and air operations have been suspended to conduct safety inspections of the infrastructure.
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