A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit southwestern Japan on Tuesday, leading to catastrophic damage to buildings and infrastructure. The death toll has risen to 34 people, with ongoing rescue efforts enduring sweltering heat.

The New York Times reporters Kiuko Notoya and Yan Zhuang wrote that the earthquake’s “epicenter was near Uto, a coastal city about 30miles south of Kumamoto City,according to the U.S.” It sparked fires in the Kumamoto City,the regional capital，which has a population of more than 700,000.

The earthquake has collapsed homes and buildings, trapping people inside structures and leading to serious accidents.

During the disaster, a collapse occured at a shopping center in the nearby town of Kashima,where rescue crews are searching for people at present. Seven people died after the center’s second floor collapsed, while five others have been rescued,yet the number of people remaining trapped was unclear.

Elsewhere, rescue crews have recovered the bodies of eight victims from a paper factory, where a chimney has collapsed. Two people have been rescued, and one related person is still waiting to be found.

While rescue crews have been making great effort finding survivors, the impact on infrastructure continues to spread among citizens. On Thursday, nearly 2000 households were without power and approximately 100,000 were without water. Meanwhile, around 9800 people are being housed in evacuation centers.

“We are at a critical juncture where supporting the victims, including ensuring a safe and sanitary environment in evacuation centers, is of the utmost importance,” said Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

source: The New York Times