Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:48pm on 30 Jul 2026,Thursday International
The death toll from the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan's Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island has risen to 34, authorities said on Thursday. Rescue teams continue searching for survivors as more than 100 aftershocks keep residents on edge. Around 9,000 people remain in evacuation centres, while over 30,000 households are without electricity. With temperatures expected to reach 39°C, officials have warned of heatstroke risks and sent hundreds of air conditioners to shelters. The quake caused widespread damage, including the partial collapse of a shopping mall and a paper factory. Investigations into a suspected gas explosion at the mall are ongoing. (PC: BBC)
