A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck near the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto, killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 100. Rescuers are urgently searching for survivors trapped beneath rubble, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warning that time is running out.
Rescue Operations Underway
Teams are working through the night to locate people buried under collapsed buildings. 'Even now, there are people waiting to be rescued, and this is a race against time,' Takaichi said in a televised address. The quake, which hit late Thursday, caused widespread damage, including a fire at a shopping mall that killed two people.
Impact and Aftermath
At least 100 people were injured, many seriously. Aftershocks continue to rattle the region, hampering rescue efforts. The Japanese meteorological agency has warned of possible landslides and further seismic activity. Emergency shelters have been set up for displaced residents, and the government has dispatched troops to assist in rescue and relief operations.
