World
Thirteen dead as rescuers search rubble after Japan earthquake
At least 13 people have died after an earthquake struck the southern Japanese island of Kyushu on Tuesday.
Rescue teams in Japan are working in what has been described as a race against time to reach survivors trapped under rubble, following a powerful earthquake on the southern island of Kyushu.
According to reporting by international wire services, at least 13 people have been confirmed dead after the quake struck on Tuesday. Emergency workers are searching collapsed structures where residents are feared trapped.
Specific details regarding the magnitude of the earthquake and the precise areas of Kyushu that have suffered the most severe damage remain unconfirmed. Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands, is home to several major cities and mountainous terrain, complicating lines of communication and transport in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
Local authorities have not yet released a comprehensive assessment of the destruction, and the total number of people currently missing or feared trapped under collapsed buildings is still unknown. Search and rescue operations are being prioritised, with officials conscious of the limited window of time available to extract survivors from beneath shattered concrete and timber.
As the rescue effort continues into its critical phase, information regarding infrastructure damage, potential power outages, and the status of local transport networks is still emerging. Updates on the condition of those rescued and any changes to the official death toll are expected as emergency services clear debris from the hardest hit areas.
Observers will be watching closely to see if the Japanese government deploys additional self-defence forces to assist with the search and rescue efforts on Kyushu.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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