Japan Earthquake Live News: 13 Dead After Powerful 7.1-Magnitude Quake, Rescue Operation Underway, Thousands Evacuated – Check Latest Update

By: Nimakshi Chanotra Last Updated: July 29, 2026 07:52:54 IST TOKYO: At least 13 people have died after Japan’s most destructive quake in decades, which struck on Tuesday, July 29, causing widespread destruction across Kumamoto Prefecture and triggering large-scale rescue operations. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed the fatalities on Wednesday. “Thirteen people have died,” Takaichi said Wednesday. The massive earthquake caused widespread destruction in Kumamoto Prefecture, prompting large-scale search and rescue efforts as well as mass evacuations and warnings about potential aftershock activity. Damage was reported to include buildings, roads, bridges and critical infrastructure.

Missing media or need the complete publisher report? Open The Sunday Guardian

Scoop News DeskKumamoto, Japan · Published Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 2:29 AM UTCUpdated Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 7:54 AM UTC

Scoop News reporting summary

The text below was supplied by the Scoop Newsroom app. Third-party reporting is attributed in the source panel.

Meanwhile, an earthquake triggered a gas explosion that devastated a shopping mall in the nearby town of Kashima, collapsing its ceilings and walls – although the structure itself had already been emptied by then as evacuations took place. “The explosion happened after the customers and staff had evacuated,” a spokesman for the mall’s operator Aeon told AFP news agency. “We have successfully rescued eight persons inside this site…including those who suffer injury.” Initial reports indicated that 20 to 30 people were initially thought to be trapped inside the shopping centre, with broadcaster NHK reporting at one stage that this estimate had been revised down on subsequent confirmation from police.

Breaking news moves fast. Follow @Will466513 on X for breaking news alerts. Follow on X →

Story timeline