Rescue teams continued searching for survivors across Kumamoto Prefecture on Thursday, two days after a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake devastated parts of southwestern Japan, leaving at least 25 people dead, dozens injured and thousands displaced.

Emergency crews raced against time to reach people believed to be trapped beneath collapsed buildings as aftershocks continued to shake the region.

Search for Survivors Continues

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan’s southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction across rural communities in Kumamoto Prefecture.

According to local authorities, 25 deaths have been officially confirmed as directly related to the disaster, while nine additional deaths remain under investigation.

Officials also reported that at least 86 people were injured, including five who remain in serious condition.

Emergency responders, firefighters, military personnel and police officers continue carrying out search-and-rescue operations despite difficult conditions.

Thousands Remain in Emergency Shelters

More than 9,000 people spent another night in nearly 400 evacuation centers established across the disaster zone.

Many residents remain unable or unwilling to return home due to structural damage and the ongoing risk of aftershocks.

Authorities said approximately 19,000 households were still without electricity, while numerous communities continue experiencing disruptions to water supplies.

Generators and temporary power systems have been installed at evacuation centers to provide lighting and air conditioning as temperatures continue to rise.

Extreme Heat Creates New Emergency

As recovery efforts continue, officials are now battling another threat: dangerous summer heat.

Japan’s Ministry of the Environment issued a heatstroke alert for Kumamoto, warning that temperatures could reach 33°C (91°F).

Medical teams are monitoring evacuees—particularly elderly residents, young children and injured survivors—for signs of dehydration and heat-related illnesses.

Doctors dispatched from other parts of Japan are visiting evacuation shelters to provide medical care and assess vulnerable residents.

Some Survivors Forced to Sleep in Cars

In the hard-hit town of Hikawa, many families remain without electricity or running water.

Rather than staying inside crowded evacuation centers, some residents have chosen to sleep in their vehicles or temporary tents near their damaged homes.

Others say they are too afraid to return indoors because frequent aftershocks continue to shake the region.

Emergency workers have been distributing bottled water, emergency food supplies and fresh water delivered by Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force.

Residents described drinking as little water as possible because of limited supplies, raising additional concerns about dehydration.

Emergency Supplies Running Low

Local officials warn that stocks of emergency food are beginning to decline as thousands remain displaced.

Instant rice, canned bread and bottled water continue to be distributed daily, but authorities acknowledge that additional supplies will soon be needed if recovery operations continue for several more days.

The central government is coordinating relief efforts while emergency shipments arrive from unaffected regions.

Mall Explosion and Factory Collapse Among Deadliest Incidents

One of the worst disasters occurred at the Aeon Mall in Kashima, where thousands of shoppers were evacuated before an explosion caused part of the shopping center to collapse.

Authorities confirmed that six people died after becoming trapped beneath the collapsed second floor.

Elsewhere, in the Yatsushiro area, a massive chimney collapsed at a Nippon Paper Industries factory.

Emergency crews rescued several workers, but eight people lost their lives, while search teams continue looking for another missing worker.

Government footage released Thursday showed rescue personnel drilling through collapsed concrete and twisted steel in an effort to locate possible survivors.

Prime Minister Promises Full Government Support

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the Japanese government is fully coordinating rescue and recovery efforts across the affected region.

She emphasized that restoring electricity, water and gas services remains a top priority alongside ongoing search-and-rescue operations.

“The needs on the ground are constantly changing. To put to rest the people’s feelings of uncertainty, we will do all that needs to be done,” the Prime Minister said.

Recovery Expected to Take Weeks

Authorities warn that aftershocks may continue for days, complicating recovery efforts and delaying inspections of damaged buildings.

Thousands of emergency personnel remain deployed across Kumamoto as engineers assess structural damage and utility crews work to restore essential services.

Officials continue urging residents to remain cautious, avoid entering damaged buildings and follow evacuation instructions until it is safe to return home.