Death toll reaches 28 as southwest Japan endures second major quake in 10 years

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Kumamoto: The death toll from Japan's strong earthquake in southern Kyushu has risen to 28, with rescue teams still searching for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings amid extreme heat and continuous tremors.

Authorities have deployed around 5,000 Self-Defence Force members and emergency workers to the most severely affected areas, where temperatures of around 35°C have hindered rescue efforts and raised fears about heatstroke among rescuers and evacuees.

The disaster also stirred up recollections of the devastating earthquakes that shook southwest Japan a decade ago, with many locals claiming they are once again facing the difficulty of rebuilding their lives. Local officials described the latest tragedy as another hard test for communities already dealing with the aftermath of the 2016 earthquakes.

Thousands of homes remain without electricity and running water, and many residents are looking for refuge in evacuation centers. Authorities have warned that aftershocks and landslides are still a possibility while emergency response and relief efforts continue.