Japan woke up to scenes of devastation today after a second huge earthquake struck the nation, bringing the total death count to 41 and rising.
The 7.3 magnitude earthquake destroyed buildings and roads, causing massive mudslides that washed away entire bridges and dumped hundreds of tonnes of soil on buildings and roads.
More than 1,500 people were injured and 31 killed by yesterday’s quake in southern Kyushu island, and authorities say they expect the death toll to rise.
It struck just a day after another 6.4 magnitude shock, killing ten, and the country’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, said it is now a ‘race against time’ to find survivors.
Mr Abe said: ‘Nothing is more important than human life and it’s a race against time. Daytime today is the big test. I want rescue activities to continue with the utmost effort.’
The disaster left 410,000 homes without water and 200,000 with no power, forcing crowds of people to queue for food and water at emergency aid centres set up in the wake of the aftershocks.
Officials are warning that heavy rainfall expected tonight could trigger more landslides, which have already destroyed the road network, which is hampering rescue efforts.
The area has been rocked by aftershocks – including the strongest with a magnitude of 5.4 on Saturday morning – which have left the people on edge.
Kumamoto prefectural official Riho Tajima said 184 people were injured seriously, and more than 91,000 people were evacuated from their homes.
More than 200 homes and other buildings were either destroyed or damaged, she said.
Police received reports of 97 cases of people trapped or buried under collapsed buildings, while 10 people were caught in landslides in three municipalities in the prefecture.
The epicentre of the quake was near the city of Kumamoto on the southern island of Kyushu and measured at a shallow depth of 10 kms (6 miles), the USGS said.
Television footage of the area showed fires, power outages, collapsed bridges and gaping holes in the earth.
Residents near a dam were told to leave because of fears it might crumble, broadcaster NHK said, and the 400-year-old Kumamoto Castle – which survived a century of wart – in the centre of the city was badly damaged.
TV video showed a collapsed student dormitory at Aso city’s Tokai University that was originally two floors, but now looked like a single-story building. A witness said he heard a cry for help from the rubble. Two students were reported to have died there. Daily Mail.