In Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture the number of deaths caused by the strong earthquake of magnitude 7.1 which hit on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, has increased to at least 17 confirmed cases, and the total number of people affected is estimated to be about 86, according to officials from Kumamoto Prefecture.
The earthquake occurred at 4:27 p.m. local time, had a magnitude of 7.1 according to the Japan Meteorological Agency and a depth of about 10 km close to Uto, and reached a maximum intensity of 7 on Japan’s seismic scale in various areas. By 7:30 a.m. on July 30, the authorities had confirmed 17 deaths, the total number of people injured or killed being 86. However, the figure for the casualties is still preliminary and may increase as search and rescue operations continue at the locations with the most damage.
Several places responsible for a large number of the deaths were the Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima, where a explosion after the earthquake (maybe due to a gas leak) led to the second floor collapsing. The authorities said that between five and six people died there, with some more injured or having previously been in cardiopulmonary arrest; a number of other people had been pulled alive from the site. At the Nippon Paper Industries factory in Yatsushiro, the collapse of a big chimney resulted in eight deaths, with some others becoming trapped or being rescued after being enclosed. Deaths also took place in houses that had collapsed in Uki, Hikawa and other nearby areas.
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On Wednesday the official statements given by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had originally reported 13 deaths (in some cases the causes being under investigation as regards the disaster). The number increased as the rescue teams continued to recover more victims during the night and into Thursday. In the first few hours hundreds of people went for medical treatment and the hospitals said that there had been dozens of injuries, ranging from minor to serious, including fractures and injuries caused by falling debris.
Rescue workers, together with members of the Self-Defense Force, the police, and the firefighters, have been searching through the remaining debris at the mall, the factory, and the collapsed residential buildings, all while facing the intense summer heat. There are still some people who have not been accounted for or who were earlier listed as missing. Moreover, the authorities have also observed cases of indirect or related deaths which are currently under review.
The early response was made more difficult by power cuts, damage to the roads, and disrupted rail services, and the area has still been affected by aftershocks. Authorities are asking people to stay careful about possible further strong quakes and other secondary hazards such as landslides. Since recovery work is ongoing, the full extent of the casualties has not yet been determined.