Japan Earthquake: Rescue Teams Search Collapsed Mall, Factory After 6.8 Magnitude Quake
Rescuers search quake-hit sites amid ongoing aftershocks.
A fresh earthquake was reported near Japan’s Amakusa area on Wednesday, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue an early warning for Kumamoto Prefecture. Authorities are awaiting further details regarding the earthquake’s magnitude, depth, and the extent of damage caused by the tremor.
The latest earthquake comes shortly after a powerful quake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan’s Kyushu island on Tuesday. The earlier earthquake caused significant destruction, with rescue teams continuing operations to search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed structures.
The previous tremor was initially measured by the JMA at magnitude 7.1, while the United States Geological Survey (USGS) later recorded it as magnitude 6.8. The earthquake triggered emergency alerts across several prefectures, including Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, and Miyazaki, advising residents to remain cautious.
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At least 13 people have been reported dead following the earlier earthquake, while several others were reported to be in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest, a term used in Japan’s preliminary emergency reports before official confirmation of deaths. Rescue teams have been searching through the rubble of locations including the Aeon shopping mall and a paper factory affected by the disaster.
The region has experienced more than 100 aftershocks following the major earthquake, with the JMA warning residents to remain prepared for further seismic activity in the coming days. Kumamoto city, located on Kyushu island, has faced major earthquakes in the past, including a devastating series of quakes in 2016 that resulted in 278 deaths in Kumamoto and neighbouring Oita prefecture.
Earthquakes are a frequent occurrence in Japan due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area known for intense seismic activity. Emergency agencies continue to monitor the situation closely while rescue and recovery efforts remain underway across affected areas.
Also Read: Powerful 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake Kills 13, Triggers Widespread Destruction Across Japan
