Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleShweta SharmaSaturday 01 August 2026 15:06 BSTDrone footage reveals damage inside Kumamoto mall after 7.1 magnitude earthquakeA powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture has resulted in 36 deaths and displaced over 9,000 people.The disaster caused extensive damage, with over 1,500 buildings affected and nearly 100 aftershocks, including an explosion at a shopping mall and a factory chimney collapse.Survivors are struggling with an intense heatwave, with temperatures reaching 36C and expected to hit 40C, raising concerns about heatstroke.Widespread water and fuel shortages are compounding the crisis, affecting 72,000 households and making it difficult for evacuees sleeping in cars to run air conditioning.Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has emphasized the urgent need to secure water supplies, while search and rescue efforts continue beyond the critical 72-hour window.In fullJapan earthquake death toll rises to 36 as survivors sleep in cars amid scorching heatMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in