Kumamoto Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 38 as Rescue Efforts Continue Amid Extreme Heat

The death toll from the earthquake that struck Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 has risen to 38, according to Xinhua News, citing the prefecture’s disaster response headquarters. The figure, reported as of 7:30 a.m. JST on August 2, marks an increase of two from the previous day and includes 35 deaths directly caused by the earthquake, one possible disaster-related death, and two under investigation.

A Powerful Earthquake Strikes Kumamoto

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake, officially named the “Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake” by the Japan Meteorological Agency, struck at 4:27 p.m. JST on July 28 with its epicenter in the Kumamoto region at a depth of approximately 16 kilometers. The quake registered a maximum seismic intensity of 7 (shindo 7) in Uki City and Hikawa Town, making it the first magnitude 7 earthquake in Japan since the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake and the third to hit Kumamoto Prefecture, following the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes. A tsunami advisory was issued for the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas shortly after the quake but was lifted by 6:10 p.m.

According to FNN Prime Online, the earthquake has caused extensive damage across the prefecture. Housing damage totals 3,851 buildings, including 181 completely destroyed and 225 half-destroyed. Power outages affect 1,590 households in Yatsushiro, Uki, and Hikawa, while 46,800 households across five municipalities remain without water. As of August 2, 9,226 people are sheltering in 210 evacuation centers across 22 municipalities.

Major Incidents Compound the Tragedy

Two major secondary incidents have contributed significantly to the death toll. The Aeon Mall Kumamoto explosion, which occurred approximately one hour and twenty minutes after the earthquake, killed seven tenant employees and injured five others. The explosion, suspected to have been caused by an LP gas leak, destroyed the second floor and exterior walls of the shopping complex in Kashima Town. Aeon President Yoshida Akio expressed deep remorse at a press conference, stating, “We deeply, deeply apologize.” Tokyo University Professor Mogi Toshio, a fire and explosion safety expert, suggested that combustible gas may have accumulated in enclosed spaces, mixed with air, and been ignited by some ignition source.

At the Nippon Paper Yatsushiro factory, a chimney collapse killed five workers and injured two others, with eleven people initially trapped. The factory’s chimney broke and collapsed onto the plant during the earthquake.

First Possible Disaster-Related Death

Kumamoto Governor Kimura Kei confirmed the first possible disaster-related death from the earthquake, as reported by Mainichi Shimbun. A woman in her 70s was discovered on July 30 in a stopped car while sheltering in a vehicle. The cause of death is suspected to be heat stroke, as the car’s gasoline had run out and the air conditioning had stopped. Governor Kimura described it as “a case with the possibility of heat stroke while sheltering in a vehicle.” The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the woman was found with the car’s fuel tank empty and the air conditioning non-functional.

Extreme Heat Compounds Suffering

The disaster area is facing a severe heatwave that is creating additional health risks for evacuees. Kumamoto City recorded a record high of 38.9°C on August 2, with forecasts of up to 40°C on August 3, according to NTV News. A heat stroke warning has been issued for Kumamoto Prefecture, and officials are concerned about heat stroke and economy class syndrome among evacuees sheltering in vehicles. The extreme temperatures, combined with ongoing water outages affecting nearly 47,000 households, pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of those affected by the disaster.

Connection to the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes

The 2026 earthquake occurred on the same fault system as the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, which struck the same region 10 years and 3 months earlier. The 2016 events killed over 270 people and caused extensive damage. According to the Japanese Wikipedia, experts from the Earthquake Research Committee and Kyoto University suggest that the 2026 earthquake may have ruptured segments of the Hinagu Fault Zone that were left unbroken in 2016. Kyoto University Professor Nishimura Takuya noted the possibility that “the unbroken parts from the 2016 earthquake ruptured this time.”

The Earthquake Research Promotion Headquarters had rated the Hinagu Fault Zone (Hinagu segment) as S-rank, the highest level, for the possibility of an M7.5-class earthquake within 30 years, as of January 2026.

Government Response and International Impact

The Japanese government established an Emergency Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters at the Prime Minister’s Office, with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae ordering a “human life first” approach. The Self-Defense Forces have deployed 3,600 personnel, including the 42nd Rapid Response Regiment and 8th Reconnaissance Unit, while the Emergency Fire Assistance Team has dispatched 1,000 personnel. DMAT (Disaster Medical Assistance Teams) have been requested from all Kyushu prefectures.

The earthquake’s impact extended beyond Japan’s borders. China News Service reported that shaking was felt in high-rise buildings in Shanghai, approximately 900 kilometers away. South Korea observed maximum intensity III (MMI) in Gyeongsangnam-do, Busan, Jeju, and Gwangju. Ground displacement measurements show Yatsushiro City’s Sencho area moved approximately 84 centimeters northeast, while Kumamoto City’s Jonan area moved about 40 centimeters north.

What to Watch For

As rescue and recovery efforts continue, several challenges remain. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of the possibility of magnitude 7-class earthquakes within 2-3 days after the initial shock, with 299 aftershocks of intensity 1 or greater recorded by July 31. The extreme heat conditions pose an ongoing threat to evacuees, particularly those in vehicles without air conditioning. Prime Minister Takaichi has stated that the government will present an outlook for water restoration by next week. The Chinese Wikipedia entry notes that the earthquake has also disrupted semiconductor manufacturing in the region, with major companies like Sony and Renesas suspending operations at their Kumamoto facilities.

The coming days will be critical as authorities work to restore essential services, prevent further casualties from heat-related illnesses, and continue recovery efforts in one of Japan’s most seismically active regions.