More than 100 aftershocks hit Japan after deadly quake that killed 13

More than 100 aftershocks have rattled Japan following a devastating earthquake that claimed 13 lives.

Residents in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture awoke on Wednesday to a scene of destruction, with buildings toppled and debris scattered. The south-western Kyushu region of Japan has experienced over 100 aftershocks since a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck on Tuesday, resulting in at least 13 fatalities. Numerous other individuals were reported to be in "cardiopulmonary arrest," a term frequently used in Japan's preliminary reports before official confirmation of death.

Amidst scorching temperatures, rescue teams are sifting through the wreckage of a paper factory and a shopping mall in Kumamoto prefecture, searching for survivors. The mall had suffered an explosion within an hour of the quake. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized the critical nature of the situation, stating it was "truly a race against time" to rescue those trapped. Thousands are currently in evacuation centers, and many are without electricity.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is advising residents to remain vigilant for further strong earthquakes, as reported by public broadcaster NHK. A JMA official stated, "For the next week or so, especially the next two to three days, we would like people to watch out for potential earthquakes with a maximum seismic intensity of 7."

Rescuers are continuing their search through the debris of Aeon Mall in Kashima town, where a section of the second floor collapsed. Akio Yoshida, president of Aeon Mall, confirmed that three people who worked in the mall's stores remain unaccounted for. Footage of the shopping center depicted white smoke emanating from the building as people fled to the car park. Significant portions of the mall's exterior were blown off, exposing the underlying steel beams.

Aeon Mall president Akio Yoshida confirmed three fatalities from the mall explosion, with an additional three individuals, all mall employees, still missing. Officials stated that approximately 2,700 people were employed at the mall. Yoshida reported that four people from the mall were hospitalized, adding that one person was rescued from a restroom and another was in cardiopulmonary arrest. "We sincerely apologize for this incident," Yoshida stated at a press conference on Wednesday.

Japan is in a "race against time" to rescue individuals trapped beneath rubble after the earthquake. Other affected areas include a factory in Yatsushiro City, where two people were found with no signs of life and nine others were unaccounted for, according to NHK. "Although more than 20 hours have passed since the earthquake, there are those still in need of help," Takaichi said on Wednesday. Takaichi added that over 4,600 personnel have been deployed to assist with rescue efforts.

Officials advised rescuers and earthquake survivors to take precautions against heatstroke during clean-up operations, as temperatures reached approximately 35C (95F). Defence Minister Shinjirō Koizumi announced on X that around 300 air conditioning units would be flown to Kumamoto and distributed in the most severely affected areas.

The JMA initially measured the earthquake's magnitude at 7.1, while the US Geological Survey later placed it at 6.8. Earthquake magnitude figures are often updated as seismologists acquire and analyze new data. The quake's shallow epicenter, with a depth of 10 km (six miles), was located approximately 20km south of Kumamoto city.

Clean-up efforts have commenced, with people removing debris from a collapsed gate at a temple in Yatsushiro. Footage aired by NHK showed cracked roads and bridges, along with several buildings on fire. Train services were suspended, and thousands of homes lost electricity.

Residents in Kumamoto prefecture woke on Wednesday to the earthquake's aftermath, with images revealing debris on the streets and collapsed buildings, including the worship hall of the 19th-century Yatshushiro Shrine. Hiroko Ogata, 75, a resident, told the BBC that she was at her restaurant in Yatsushiro City when the earthquake struck. "All of a sudden there was a big jolt, and I was surprised and scared... I have lived here for 75 years, but I have never experienced such a big quake. I thought I would die."

American tourist Chantel Mohar was also in Kumamoto with her family when the earthquake occurred. While traveling on a tourist bus, everyone's phones simultaneously received earthquake alerts. "There was just a lot of rocking and confusion," she told the BBC's Newsday programme.

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