The strong earthquake in Kumamoto, Japan has resulted in the death toll climbing to 30 people, with individuals still stranded in malls and factories. The disaster area is expected to face extreme heat and high temperatures in the coming week. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Toshimitsu Motegi, emphasizes that rescue efforts are now in a race against time. Meanwhile, experts warn of the possibility of more strong earthquakes in the future, posing a significant challenge to rescue and disaster prevention efforts.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated on July 30th that the Kumamoto earthquake has caused 30 fatalities, including cases under investigation to determine if they are earthquake-related deaths.
Prior to this, Chief Cabinet Secretary Toshimitsu Motegi announced the latest data on the morning of July 30th, stating, “According to the police investigation, the number of deaths related to the disaster has now reached 28 individuals.”
The official statistics released by Kumamoto Prefecture on the morning of July 30th at 7:30 am show that there have been 17 confirmed deaths, 6 individuals showing no signs of life, and 5 people severely injured.
The central government of Japan’s statistics include cases still under investigation for being disaster-related deaths, hence the discrepancy with the confirmed death toll announced by Kumamoto Prefecture.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Toshimitsu Motegi reiterated, “Search and rescue operations are a race against time,” emphasizing that the government will continue to prioritize “the highest principle of valuing human life and spare no effort in carrying out various rescue operations.”
To respond to the Kumamoto earthquake, the Japanese government promptly established the “Reiwa 8 Year Kumamoto Earthquake Special Disaster Response Headquarters,” with the Prime Minister and relevant ministers personally overseeing the coordinated search and rescue missions, emergency allocation of supplies, and interdepartmental coordination, while providing real-time updates on the latest casualties and disaster information.
According to specific disaster information released by Kumamoto Prefecture, rescue teams have rescued a total of 11 individuals at Kumamoto AEON MALL, with 5 fatalities, 1 showing no signs of life, and 5 injured. The on-site team is still continuing efforts to rescue the final trapped individual.
Regarding the Kumamoto Paper Yatsushiro Factory, a total of 11 individuals were trapped during the incident. Rescue teams have currently rescued 10 individuals, with 8 fatalities, 2 injured, and 1 person still missing.
In terms of civil infrastructure and evacuation conditions, approximately 22,950 households in Kumamoto Prefecture are experiencing power outages. The prefectural government has promptly opened 415 evacuation shelters, accommodating 10,467 evacuees.
Furthermore, the Kumamoto earthquake disaster area is facing severe heatwaves. The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts that temperatures in Kumamoto Prefecture will remain above the annual average in the upcoming week, with a potential rise to near 40 degrees on August 2nd, urging the public to strictly implement various heat prevention measures.
The meteorological department predicts that the maximum temperature in Uki City and Hikawa Town on the 30th could reach 35 degrees. Meanwhile, in Kajima Town, where the search and rescue team is working intensively at Kumamoto AEON MALL, temperatures are also expected to soar to 35 degrees.
Additionally, nighttime temperatures in Kumamoto Prefecture are expected to remain high, with “warm nights” featuring temperatures above 25 degrees persisting.
In response to the strong earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, the Japan Earthquake Investigation Commission convened an emergency special meeting to assess the possibility of another strong earthquake occurring in the region.
Commission Chairman Kazunari Kohara stated, “There are still dormant fault lines within the region. While it is currently impossible to predict when and how they will become active, there is indeed a possibility of triggering another strong earthquake.”
According to the commission’s analysis, as a result of this earthquake, the observation point in Chisatocho, Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, has experienced a crustal movement towards the northeast of approximately 87 centimeters. Moreover, a fault line extending about 30 kilometers from the epicenter likely has ruptured.
The Earthquake Investigation Commission specifically urges the public not to take things lightly and to continue their daily disaster preparedness efforts.