Japan Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 38 as Heat Claims Shelter Victim
The death toll from the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday has risen to 38, with more than 9,200 people remaining in 210 evacuation centers as survivors face extreme heat and ongoing infrastructure shortages in the Japan earthquake aftermath.
Rising Death Toll from Japan Earthquake and Heat-Related Fatalities
The death toll from the Japan earthquake has risen to 38 as confirmed by local authorities on Sunday. [4] This figure includes two deaths still under investigation to determine if they resulted from the magnitude 7.1 tremor. [4] An elderly woman in her seventies died of heatstroke while sheltering in a car without petrol, contributing to the rising toll amid high temperatures exceeding 37 degrees Celsius. [3] Kumamoto officials raised the death toll to 36 after this latest fatality before it reached 38. [3] Authorities warned that hot weather is expected to persist in the affected areas and said they will strengthen measures to prevent heatstroke at evacuation centers by accelerating the deployment of portable spot coolers and increasing drinking water supplies. [4] Officials and experts had worried about such heat-related risks amid the extreme temperatures following the Japan earthquake. [3]
Evacuation Centers and Survivor Conditions
As of Sunday morning, 9,226 evacuees were in shelters, with power largely restored but 69,400 households still without water. [4] A total of 210 evacuation shelters remain open across the prefecture. [4] Municipal officials and volunteers deliver relief goods to an evacuation center set up at an elementary school in the city of Yatsuhiro, Kumamoto Prefecture. [2] Survivors of the large earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture battled against intense heat over the first weekend since the disaster. [2] Many people were still taking refuge in their cars to escape the heat and stay cool. [2] Kumamoto authorities were to start delivering leaflets to those taking shelter in their cars, urging them to stay in cool places and take sufficient liquids, and regularly take exercise to avoid blood clotting risks. [3] Ambulances had transported 30 people with suspected symptoms of heatstroke on Saturday. [4]
Survivors endure extreme heat at an evacuation center following the Kumamoto earthquake. — Source: japantimes
Infrastructure Damage and Restoration Efforts
A total of 3,649 homes have been damaged or destroyed, with assessments ongoing and the number expected to rise. [4] As of Sunday morning, 181 houses had been destroyed, 20 had sustained major partial damage, 225 had been partially destroyed, and 1,639 had suffered minor damage. [4] Damage assessments are still underway for another 1,584 buildings. [4] Officials cautioned that the full extent of the damage has yet to be determined and that the number of damaged buildings could increase significantly as inspections continue. [4] While power has largely been restored throughout the prefecture, efforts to restore water and other infrastructure are continuing. [2] Some 69,400 households remain without water amid scorching heat. [4]
Public Support in Tokyo
Long lines formed daily at a Tokyo shop selling Kumamoto goods, where customers bought specialty items and donated about ¥2 million to support quake victims. [1] Visitors at a Tokyo shop selling Kumamoto products have formed long lines every day since Tuesday’s massive earthquake in the southwestern prefecture. [1] Customers at the shop say they want to support people in areas devastated by the 7.1 magnitude quake by purchasing specialty goods and making donations. [1] Sales at the Ginza Kumamotokan shop on Wednesday were more than twice as high as those on a holiday during the peak season. [1] Ikinari dango, a traditional Kumamoto confectionery featuring sweet potato and sweet bean paste, and karashi renkon, or lotus roots stuffed with mustard, are selling well. [1] A total of about ¥2 million was raised in a donation box at the shop on Wednesday and Thursday. [1] The warm feelings of visitors have been a support and encouragement for the people of the prefecture, said Mitsuo Matsuoka, a senior official of the Tokyo office. [1]
Elderly woman died of heatstroke while sheltering in car during Japan earthquake evacuation. — Source: scmp
Search and Rescue Conclusion
Search and rescue operations ended at an Aeon mall where seven workers died in a post-quake explosion. [4] The prefectural government said search and rescue operations had ended Saturday at an Aeon shopping mall where seven workers died and five were injured in an explosion shortly after the earthquake struck on Tuesday afternoon. [4] The powerful earthquake struck the southwestern prefecture at 4:27 pm local time Tuesday. [4]
Ongoing Heat and Infrastructure Challenges
Temperatures in some parts of Kumamoto Prefecture reached over 37 degrees Celsius as survivors continued to face difficulties. [4] The woman in her seventies with heatstroke was found in a car, Kumamoto officials said. [3] NHK public television said the woman was found dead on Thursday in a car without petrol. [3] People collect water from a tanker truck in Uki, Kumamoto prefecture. [3] The magnitude 7.1 hit Kumamoto prefecture on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu on Tuesday. [3] As of Sunday morning, more than 9,200 were staying across 210 evacuation centers due to Tuesday’s magnitude 7.1 quake that shook the region, damaging some 3,851 homes. [2]
What to watch next: Authorities plan to continue strengthening measures to prevent heatstroke at evacuation centers while damage assessments proceed and the number of affected structures may rise.
