Death Toll from 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake in Kumamoto Rises to 13; Water and Power Outages in Multiple Areas, Nearly 10,000 Seeking Shelter

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said at the Prime Minister's Office on the 29th that as of 8:30 a.m. local time, the death toll from the Kumamoto earthquake had reached 13.

She stated that the central government is still assessing the disaster situation, and all agencies are working closely together to fully support initial rescue operations. Time is of the essence, and all resources are being mobilized to rescue as many people as possible. The government is making efforts to restore infrastructure, and the Self-Defense Forces are carrying out water supply and transporting the injured. Various departments and organizations are also pooling resources and actively providing evacuation centers with necessities such as food and drinking water.

The earthquake caused widespread power outages and transportation disruptions. As of the morning of the 29th, more than 9,800 people in Kumamoto Prefecture had taken refuge, and about 37,000 households were without power. The Kyushu Shinkansen has suspended all operations starting with the first train on the 29th to inspect tracks and equipment.

With the Kyushu Shinkansen out of service, Japan Airlines will operate four temporary round-trip flights between Fukuoka and Kagoshima on the afternoon of the 29th. Regarding flights in and out of Kumamoto Airport, JAL has decided to cancel 11 flights and ANA has canceled 2 flights.

Sections of the Kyushu Expressway and South Kyushu Expressway remain impassable due to bridge and road damage. At Kumamoto Port, the bridge used by ferries connecting Shimabara City in Nagasaki Prefecture is damaged and currently unusable.

The Kumamoto Prefecture Disaster Response Headquarters stated that 465 evacuation centers have been set up, with 9,872 people taking shelter. In addition, about 36,700 households in the prefecture are without power. About 140,000 households across 17 cities, towns, and villages in Kumamoto Prefecture have no running water, with roughly 60,000 of those in Yatsushiro City.

Due to power and water shortages in some areas, authorities will deliver essentials such as food, water, portable air conditioners, and generators to affected areas. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has requested the Japan Water Works Association to send water trucks to the disaster areas.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara pointed out that Tsushima Jun, Vice Minister for Disaster Management at the Cabinet Office, has arrived in the disaster area and will work closely with local governments on relief efforts.

He added that the earthquake has resulted in 7 people seriously injured and 29 people with minor injuries.

He stressed that the situation is very severe, with increased risks of building collapses and landslides, urging residents to take protective measures and avoid entering dangerous areas.

Factory Chimney Collapse Leaves 7 Missing

According to Kyodo News, the chimney of a Nippon Paper Industries plant in Yatsushiro City collapsed due to the strong quake, with two rescued individuals in cardiopulmonary arrest.

Local media reports that previously 11 people were trapped at the factory; two have been rescued but are in cardiopulmonary arrest, two are seriously injured, and seven remain missing. Police and fire departments are continuing search and rescue efforts.

At around 4:27 p.m. local time (about 3:27 p.m. Malaysian time) on the 28th, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, aftershocks in the disaster area are ongoing, with dozens of quakes above magnitude 3.