The death toll from the powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture has risen to 38, according to the prefectural government. Officials announced the updated figure during a disaster response headquarters meeting on Sunday, noting that the total includes deaths still under investigation to determine whether they were directly caused by the earthquake. Rescue and relief operations continue across the affected areas as authorities work to locate missing persons and restore essential services.

One of the worst-hit locations was a Nippon Paper factory in Yatsushiro City, where the earthquake caused a smokestack to collapse. Rescue teams pulled 10 people from the site, of whom eight were confirmed dead and two sustained injuries. Authorities also located another individual who had been reported missing in the rubble shortly after noon on Thursday, although the person's condition has not been disclosed.

At Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima Town, a large explosion occurred following the earthquake, triggering extensive rescue efforts. Emergency responders have rescued 12 people from the site so far, with seven confirmed dead and five injured. Police and firefighters are continuing search operations to determine whether anyone else remains trapped inside the damaged building.

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The earthquake has displaced thousands of residents, with more than 9,400 people currently taking shelter at 406 evacuation centres across Kumamoto Prefecture. The disaster has also severely disrupted basic services, leaving approximately 79,700 households without water. Local authorities said there is currently no timeline for restoring water supply in the affected municipalities. Meanwhile, around 19,000 households remained without electricity as of Thursday afternoon, although Kyushu Electric Power expects power to be restored by Friday evening if repair work progresses as scheduled.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi convened the Second Extraordinary Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting on Wednesday to review the ongoing response to the earthquake. Kumamoto Prefecture Governor Kimura and Cabinet Office Deputy Minister Tsushima participated virtually. During the meeting, Takaichi expressed condolences to the victims and their families, assuring that the government is working swiftly to assess the full extent of the damage while relevant ministries and agencies continue emergency response and recovery efforts.

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