Japan earthquake leaves dozens dead, thousands displaced in Kumamoto

Nearly 7,300 people are still sheltering in evacuation centres in Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture following a powerful earthquake that struck the southern island of Kyushu on July 28.

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake caused widespread damage across the prefecture, with 138 evacuation facilities currently housing residents forced to leave their homes, Japanese media writes.

More than 44,000 households in the disaster-hit areas remain without access to water supplies, according to Japan’s national public broadcaster.

Power supplies have largely been restored after being disrupted by the earthquake, with electricity returning by August 3.

The restoration has enabled evacuation centres and other facilities to restart air conditioning systems, providing critical relief as temperatures in Kumamoto have risen to around 40°C.

The disaster has claimed 38 lives, while 17 people are receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the earthquake. Authorities said nearly 14,000 homes have been damaged, including around 700 buildings that were completely destroyed.

Rescue and recovery efforts are continuing, with emergency crews working to clear debris from affected areas. Units of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces have also been deployed to support the clean-up operations and assist communities impacted by the disaster.

By Aghakazim Guliyev