At least 13 people have died as a result of a series of earthquakes in Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan's Kyushu island.
Modern.az reports that this was stated by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaiçi. According to her, as a result of the natural disaster, buildings were destroyed, fires broke out, roads were damaged and the region suffered serious material damage.
In addition, NHK TV channel, citing officials from Kumamoto Prefecture, reported that as of 09:30 on Wednesday, the death of 3 people was confirmed, cardiac arrest was recorded in 5 people, and 31 people received injuries of varying degrees.
During the earthquake, an explosion occurred in a shopping center located in Kashima settlement of Kagoshima Prefecture. According to a source of Kyodo agency, the incident was caused by a gas explosion.
Officials announced that the second floor of the shopping center collapsed. Search and rescue operations continued throughout the night. Later, two women in their 20s who were trapped under the rubble were confirmed dead. Cardiac arrest was recorded in one more person. Other rescued persons were reported to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Approximately 200 people were evacuated from the shopping center before the second floor collapsed.
In addition, two people were found in cardiac arrest at the Nippon Paper Industries plant in Yatsushiro city, Kumamoto Prefecture. As a result of the earthquake, a chimney located on the territory of the enterprise also collapsed.
Kumamoto officials announced that 9 more people are missing.
After the earthquake, the movement of high-speed Shinkansen trains has not yet been restored.
Also, Japan Airlines canceled 11 flights, and All Nippon Airways canceled 2 flights.
Approximately 37,000 households in Kumamoto Prefecture are still without electricity.
It should be recalled that on Tuesday, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Kumamoto Prefecture, and the strongest tremors were felt in Uki and Kikava cities.
