Tens of Thousands Without Water and Power! Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake Strikes with Intensity 7; Prime Minister Takagi Confirms 13 Dead

A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, on the 28th, with maximum seismic intensity 7 recorded in Uki City and Hikawa Town. Widespread structural damage and casualties have been reported, and rescue teams continue their operations.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has officially named this event the 'Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake.' This is the first time since the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake that Japan has observed seismic intensity 7. Police, fire, and Self-Defense Forces rescue teams continued full-scale search and rescue operations across the disaster zone on the 29th.

Japanese Prime Minister Takagi Sanae confirmed during a press briefing at the Prime Minister's Office on the morning of the 29th that, as of 8:30 a.m., a total of 13 deaths had been reported due to the earthquake. Authorities are currently investigating possible disaster-related fatalities.

Kumamoto Prefecture held a disaster response headquarters meeting on the morning of the 29th, reporting 3 deaths, 5 people in cardiac and respiratory arrest, 31 injured, and at least 7 missing within the prefecture.

Among the most severe incidents, the AEON Mall Kumamoto in Kikuchi Town experienced an explosion and collapse following the quake, resulting in the deaths of two women. Multiple people are still believed to be trapped inside, and rescue efforts are ongoing.

Additionally, at Nippon Paper's Yatsushiro Factory in Yatsushiro City, a chimney collapsed during the earthquake, leaving 2 people in cardiac and respiratory arrest and 9 missing. In Kōsa Town, a male worker was crushed by a collapsing crane during operations and later pronounced dead at the hospital.

According to Kumamoto Prefecture and other agencies, approximately 46,610 households, totaling 92,743 people, have received emergency safety instructions. Across 36 municipalities in the prefecture, 466 evacuation centers have been established, with 2,180 households—4,744 residents—already evacuated and sheltered.

Regarding infrastructure, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism reported that about 140,000 households across 17 municipalities in Kumamoto are experiencing water outages, with Yatsushiro City entirely cut off—approximately 60,000 households. Around 700 households in Minamishimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture, are also without water. The ministry has requested the Japan Water Works Association to urgently dispatch water trucks to the disaster areas.

Kyushu Electric Power Company stated that as of early morning on the 29th, 41,730 households in Kumamoto Prefecture remain without power.

In transportation, the Kyushu Shinkansen has suspended all services for the entire day on the 29th. Meanwhile, Kumamoto City Transportation Bureau announced that the Kumamoto City Tram is operating across all lines but is running at reduced speeds for safety reasons.

In aviation, Japan Airlines canceled 11 flights to and from Kumamoto Airport, and All Nippon Airways decided to cancel 2 flights.

Weather-wise, the Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts a high of 34°C in the Kumamoto region on the 29th. From the 30th onward, a high-pressure system will dominate, with maximum temperatures expected to exceed 35°C for several consecutive days. With water and power supplies not yet fully restored, the agency is urging evacuees and rescue personnel to stay hydrated and take precautions against heatstroke.