In China, the death toll from the Chongqing landslide in the southwest of the country has risen to 51

At least 28 people have died following a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.1 that struck southwest Japan on July 28, 2026. The government announced the updated death toll on July 30, stating that the figure includes individuals whose deaths are still under investigation to determine whether they were directly linked to the quake. The disaster caused widespread destruction, including the partial collapse of a shopping mall in Kumamoto Prefecture, which left many people trapped inside. Emergency services continue to search for survivors amid ongoing aftershocks and reports of infrastructure damage. The earthquake occurred at 4:27 pm local time (07:27 GMT) near Kumamoto City on Kyushu Island, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). It registered a magnitude of 7.1 on the JMA scale, though the U.S. Geological Survey estimated it at 6.8. The tremor reached the highest level of seven on Japan’s Shindo scale, which measures how strongly an earthquake is felt at a specific location. The quake triggered a tsunami warning, which was later lifted after assessments indicated no significant threat. The disaster led to extensive damage across the region, including the collapse of buildings, fires, and disruptions to transportation networks. In the town of Kashima within Kumamoto Prefecture, the second floor of a large Aeon Mall partially collapsed shortly after the earthquake, trapping numerous people inside. According to police reports, between 20 and 30 employees of the mall remained unreachable, while private broadcaster TBS suggested a “considerable number” of people might have perished in the incident. Rescue teams worked through the night to locate survivors among the rubble. Additional casualties were reported at other locations. One person was killed when a house collapsed in Yatsushiro City, and five others were critically injured. At the Nippon Paper Industries plant in Yatsushiro, a section of a chimney fell, leaving multiple workers unaccounted for. Two hospitals in the area reported treating at least 50 injured patients each, with staff describing a steady influx of victims suffering from burns and fractures. Water and electricity outages affected thousands of homes, forcing residents to rely on emergency supplies and evacuation centers. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addressed the situation publicly, noting the confirmed human casualties, building collapses, road damage, fires, and infrastructure failures. She emphasized the need for continued vigilance against further seismic activity and landslides, as the region faces heightened risk for the next week. The Japanese military deployed 3,600 personnel and 20 aircraft to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. Local authorities ordered approximately 300,000 people to evacuate to safety, highlighting the severity of the crisis. The earthquake struck a region already familiar with seismic risks. Kumamoto was severely impacted by two major earthquakes in 2016, which collectively claimed 273 lives and injured over 2,800 people. Located along the western edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan experiences hundreds of earthquakes annually, although most are minor. The country’s vulnerability to such disasters is underscored by its history, including the catastrophic 2011 Tohoku earthquake and subsequent tsunami that resulted in nearly 18,500 deaths and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. As of July 30, the search for survivors continues in the rubble of the collapsed mall, with officials expressing concern over the potential for additional casualties. The government has acknowledged that the final death toll may rise as investigations into the causes of fatalities proceed. Meanwhile, the focus remains on stabilizing the affected communities, restoring essential services, and preparing for possible aftershocks.