The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Japan earlier this week has risen to 34, according to the Kumamoto prefectural government.
In a statement issued on Friday, the prefectural government said the number of fatalities had increased from the 25 previously reported. Six other people remain seriously injured following the earthquake, which struck late on Tuesday.
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The quake caused widespread destruction, with buildings collapsing, roads rupturing and supply chains severely disrupted across the affected areas.
Nearly half of the fatalities were linked to two major incidents. One occurred at a Nippon Paper Industries paper mill, which sustained extensive structural damage, while the other involved a possible gas explosion at an Aeon shopping mall.
Emergency responders continue search and recovery operations as authorities assess the full extent of the damage and work to restore essential services.
