Officials in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, confirmed on July 31 that the death toll from the powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck on July 28 has risen to 34, up from the previously reported 25. At least six other people are seriously injured.
The quake, which occurred near the city of Uki, cut power to approximately 40,000 households, disrupted railway services, and triggered tsunami warnings across several areas of Kyushu island, southern Japan.
According to statistics, nearly half of the fatalities are linked to two major incidents: structural damage at a Nippon Paper mill and a suspected gas explosion at an Aeon store.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has urged residents to remain vigilant for potential strong aftershocks. Many communities in the region are also facing shortages of drinking water amid severe heat, complicating relief efforts.
Japan is one of the countries most prone to earthquakes worldwide. A major quake that hit Kumamoto a decade ago killed 275 people.
