Death toll from Kumamoto earthquake rises to 34 as rescue efforts continue

The Kumamoto Prefectural Government said Thursday that the death toll from the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck the region on Tuesday has risen to 34, including victims still being confirmed as quake-related. Rescue teams are continuing operations to locate survivors within the critical 72-hour window. At least seven of the fatalities occurred after an explosion caused part of the second floor of Aeon Mall in Kashima to collapse, trapping workers inside. The mall, which houses around 200 stores, was hit about 80 minutes after the tremor. Aeon President Akio Yoshida told reporters that a gas leak could have triggered the blast and offered an apology to the public. Eight additional deaths were reported at a Nippon Paper Industries mill in Yatsushiro. The prefectural authorities also confirmed five people with serious injuries resulting from the disaster.