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Kumamoto quake death toll rises to 34 as rescuers race against clock
japantimes.co.jp • • world
Key Points:
- The death toll from the magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture has risen to 34, with authorities still verifying if all deaths are quake-related.
- Rescuers are working urgently to find survivors before the critical 72-hour window closes.
- Seven deaths resulted from an explosion that caused part of the Aeon Mall in Kashima to collapse, trapping workers inside.
- Another eight fatalities occurred at a Nippon Paper Industries’ mill in Yatsushiro.
- Aeon Mall’s president suggested a possible gas leak caused the explosion and issued a public apology for the incident.
