Japan earthquake death toll climbs to 34 as rescue efforts continue

The death count from the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu’s southern coast has risen to 34, local officials said Thursday. Rescue crews continued searching for survivors in collapsed structures two days after the tremor, while coping with temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius).

The quake’s epicenter was near the coastal city of Uto, about 30 miles south of Kumamoto City, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It caused homes and buildings to collapse and ignited fires in the regional capital, which has a population of more than 700,000.

In the town of Kashima, rescuers focused on a shopping center where the second floor gave way, killing seven people and rescuing five; the number of those still trapped remains unknown. At a nearby paper factory, eight bodies were recovered after a chimney collapse, and two workers were rescued, with search efforts ongoing for one missing person.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reported that about 100,000 households were still without water and nearly 20,000 without electricity. Approximately 9,800 residents were staying in evacuation centers, and she warned that the heat posed additional risks to displaced people.

"We are at a critical juncture where supporting the victims, including ensuring a safe and sanitary environment in evacuation centers, is of the utmost importance," Takaichi said at a news conference.