Tokyo, July 29 (SANA) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on Wednesday that 13 people were killed in the 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Kumamoto on Kyushu Island in southwestern Japan.
According to Kyodo news agency, rescue teams are continuing search and evacuation operations, while specialized emergency and aerial rescue units have been deployed to respond to the disaster.
The strong tremors also caused an explosion at a shopping center in Kashima, resulting in casualties and injuries and causing significant damage to the building. Shinkansen high-speed rail services remain suspended while authorities inspect railway lines and bridges.
The earthquake struck Kumamoto on Tuesday, prompting tsunami warnings for the Ariake and Yatsushiro seas. Japan is frequently affected by earthquakes because it lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
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