Death toll rises to 34 after M7.1 Kumamoto earthquake, over 267 000 remain under evacuation orders, Japan
The death toll from the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 has risen to 34 as of July 30, 2026. At least 123 people have been injured, while more than 267 000 residents remain under evacuation orders as authorities continue emergency response operations across the affected region.
Rescues operatives searching through rubble for survivors of M7.1 Kumamoto Earthquake that struck Japan on July 28, 2026. Credit: FDMA
The death toll from the powerful M7.1 earthquake that struck Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 has risen to 34, while 123 people have been injured and more than 267 000 residents remain under evacuation orders, Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) reported on July 30.
The earthquake struck at 16:27 JST on July 28, reaching the maximum Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) seismic intensity of 7 in the municipalities of Uki City and Hikawa Town in Kumamoto Prefecture.
A tsunami advisory was issued for the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas two minutes later before being lifted at 18:10 JST. Several strong aftershocks followed, including tremors reaching Shindo 5 Lower, affecting multiple municipalities across Kumamoto Prefecture.
According to the FDMA, all 34 confirmed fatalities have been reported in Kumamoto Prefecture. The agency’s confirmed 11 deaths in Yatsushiro City, 7 in Kamiamakusa City, 4 in Hikawa Town, 2 in Uki City, 1 in Kosa Town, and 9 additional deaths that remain under investigation.
Authorities also reported 123 injuries, including 5 serious injuries and 84 minor injuries, while 89 people required medical treatment.
Officials confirmed one house was destroyed, another suffered partial collapse, and several buildings experienced flooding or other damage.
Emergency responders continue to deal with isolated incidents, including a collapsed factory chimney in Yatsushiro City and the partial collapse of the second floor of a commercial building in Kamiamakusa City. Authorities reported no damage to critical infrastructure facilities.
Kumamoto Prefecture has issued emergency safety measures covering 46 610 households (92 743 people) and evacuation orders affecting 127 647 households, or approximately 267 285 people. Disaster response headquarters remain active in Kumamoto and neighboring Nagasaki prefecture.
Nine prefectures had deployed emergency firefighting teams, including 347 ground personnel and four helicopters, with combined local and national response forces totaling approximately 1 400 personnel s of 12:00 JST on July 30. Since the earthquake, rescue teams have saved 98 people and transported 620 individuals to safety.
Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency said emergency deployments began immediately after the earthquake, with additional personnel dispatched to Kumamoto on July 29 to reinforce ongoing response operations. Authorities continue damage assessments as aftershocks persist and evacuation measures remain in place across parts of Kumamoto Prefecture.
References:
1 Hodosiryo goannnai – FDMA – July 30, 2026
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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