Up to 23 feared dead in Japan quake
Up to 23 feared dead in Japan quake
Rescue teams searched through the wreckage of a partially collapsed Aeon shopping mall near Kumamoto after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan. Authorities say it is a race against time to find those still trapped.
The quake killed at least 23 people, injured dozens and forced more than 9,000 residents into emergency shelters. More than 4,500 soldiers have joined rescue and recovery efforts across Kyushu.
Roads buckled, bridges collapsed and buildings were left damaged across some of the hardest-hit areas.
Power outages left more than 36,000 homes without electricity as temperatures reached around 34°C.
Hospitals near the epicentre struggled to operate, with some suspending admissions after being unable to handle additional emergency cases.
