Japan Earthquake: 34 Killed, Thousands Displaced as Rescue Efforts Enter Critical Phase

The death toll from the powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu has climbed to 34, as rescue teams continued their painstaking search for survivors inside a heavily damaged shopping mall on Friday.

According to the Kumamoto prefectural government, 34 deaths have been officially linked to the disaster, while another fatality remains under investigation. More than 80 people were injured, including five who sustained serious injuries, highlighting the devastating impact of Tuesday's earthquake.

Emergency crews remain focused on the collapsed Aeon Mall in the town of Kashima, one of the worst-hit locations. The mall was packed with thousands of shoppers when the earthquake struck. Authorities said nearly 3,000 people were evacuated to the parking area before an explosion occurred in another section of the complex, where employees were still working. The blast was followed by the collapse of the mall's second floor, trapping several people beneath the debris.

Officials confirmed that seven people died at the mall, while 11 others were rescued. However, authorities have not disclosed how many people may still be missing, and search operations continue amid unstable conditions.

Rescue efforts at a Nippon Paper Industries factory in the Yatsushiro area have concluded after a chimney collapsed during the quake. Eleven workers were rescued from the site, but nine people lost their lives.

The disaster has also triggered a humanitarian challenge. More than 3,500 households remain without electricity, while over 9,000 residents continue to stay in emergency shelters. Authorities are installing additional power supplies to operate air-conditioning systems as soaring summer temperatures raise concerns about dehydration, heatstroke and the spread of illness among displaced families.

With rescue teams still combing through rubble and thousands unable to return home, Japan's recovery effort remains focused on saving lives while restoring essential services to communities devastated by one of the country's deadliest earthquakes in recent years.