03.08.2026 17:20
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced that at least 13 people have died due to the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that occurred in the country's Kumamoto Prefecture.
The death toll from the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture continues to rise. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters that 13 people have been confirmed dead due to the earthquake or causes believed to be related to it.
"I EXTEND MY HEARTFELT THANKS"
Stating that there are injured residents in the region, Takaichi also shared information that many roads and structures have been damaged. Emphasizing that they are trying to provide all necessary support to the disaster area in coordination with relevant ministries, Takaichi said, "I extend my heartfelt thanks to the police, fire department, Coast Guard, and Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) teams, especially local authorities who may themselves have been affected by the disaster, for their search and rescue efforts carried out throughout the night and continuing now."
"WE AIM TO RESCUE THE MOST PEOPLE"
Noting that search and rescue teams are racing against time, Takaichi said, "By mobilizing all our resources on the ground, we aim to rescue as many people as possible." Reminding that extreme heat is affecting the disaster area, Takaichi added, "For this reason, I ask everyone, including the teams involved in search and rescue and other operations, to be extremely careful against heatstroke."
"THERE ARE ELECTRICITY AND WATER OUTAGES IN SOME AREAS"
Stating that there are electricity and water outages in some areas, Takaichi said, "As the government, while working with all our strength to repair the infrastructure, we are distributing water through the SDF and carrying out the evacuation of patients." Takaichi added that the government will mobilize all its resources to provide the best environment for disaster victims by also sending other basic necessities to the region.
TSUNAMI WARNING HAD BEEN ISSUED
A 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred yesterday in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Following the tremors, a tsunami warning was issued for coastal areas. According to a statement from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the earthquake occurred at 16:27 local time, with its epicenter in Kumamoto Prefecture and a depth of 10 kilometers.
After the tremors, which also caused panic in neighboring prefectures, a temporary tsunami warning was issued for areas along the coasts of the Ariake and Yatsushiro seas. Damage assessment efforts continue in the region.