A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Kumamoto, Japan, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, according to Al Jazeera. The death toll has risen to at least 25, as survivors face extreme heat and a lack of water, USA Today reports.
The quake caused significant damage, and a shopping mall exploded shortly after the shaking, Reuters and the BBC report. Video footage shows the mall erupting in flames following the earthquake.
Japan experiences many large earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of intense tectonic activity, CNN explains. The country has strict building codes and disaster preparedness measures, but the scale of this event has overwhelmed local resources.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with authorities focusing on finding survivors in collapsed structures. The combination of high temperatures and disrupted water supplies is creating a secondary crisis for those displaced from their homes, according to USA Today.
Authorities are now assessing the full extent of the damage and coordinating relief supplies for affected communities.
