A strong earthquake occurred in the south-western part of Japan on Tuesday (28). The intensity of the earthquake was measured at 7.1 on the Richter scale. There has been a lot of damage in the area due to the earthquake. So far 13 people have died in this disaster, while many people have been seriously injured. Along with this, many are reported missing and are being searched.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that 13 people died after a powerful earthquake struck parts of southwestern Japan. He said that rescue work is going on to search for the missing people. Expressing condolences to the families of the deceased, he said that the government is making every possible effort to rescue as many people as possible. Along with this, he appealed to the affected people to take special care of their health amid the scorching heat.
Devastation in the Kumamoto region of Kyushu island
The maximum impact of the earthquake was seen in the Kumamoto region of Kyushu island. The second floor of a big shopping mall in Kashima Town collapsed, trapping many people under the debris. At the same time, many people got buried under the chimney of Nippon Paper Industries factory located in Yatsushiro which collapsed. Relief teams are continuously engaged in rescue work at both the places.
The injured were admitted to the hospital
About 40 injured people were admitted to a hospital in Yatsushiro city and about 50 others were taken to a hospital in Kumamoto city. The runway of Aso Kumamoto Airport has been closed. At present it is not clear when operations will resume. A train derailed and overturned at Yatsushiro station.
Appeal to people to be cautious
The disaster management agency said more than 260,000 people were advised to evacuate, most of them in Kumamoto prefecture. Japan’s Self Defense Force soldiers have also joined the relief and rescue operations. Water, food and other essential items are being delivered to the affected areas, the administration said, adding that local rescue teams and the army are working together to rescue people trapped under the debris. Japan Meteorological Agency has appealed to people to remain alert.
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