Japan speeds Kumamoto earthquake recovery as dangerous summer heat sets in

On Thursday, an elderly woman in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture died of heat stroke while sheltering in her car, as the aftermath of a massive earthquake claimed over 30 lives. The vehicle had run out of fuel, preventing the use of air conditioning. Governor Takashi Kimura called for evacuees in vehicles to ensure enough fuel for air conditioning or relocate to air-conditioned shelters.

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kyushu on Tuesday, killing at least 36 people and injuring 105 others. Officials are investigating two additional potential quake-related deaths. Thousands have been displaced, with over 9,000 staying in emergency shelters, while many others sleep in cars or outdoors. Temperatures in Kumamoto city hit 36.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday, raising concerns of further heat-related illnesses.

The government is distributing leaflets urging evacuees to stay hydrated and move to cooler locations. Nearly 47,000 households lack fresh water, and fuel shortages have caused long petrol station queues. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the government would provide water, food, air conditioners, and partitions to evacuation centers.

Search and recovery operations continue across the prefecture, with a gas explosion at an Aeon Mall in Kashima killing seven people and damaging buildings at a Nippon Paper Industries factory in Yatsushiro city, where nine workers perished.