KUMAMOTO: A search and rescue operation has concluded at a shopping complex in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, the Kumamoto Prefectural Disaster Response Headquarters said on Saturday.
Seven people were killed at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping centre after an explosion that occurred following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck the prefecture on July 28.
The prefectural government said the large-scale search and rescue operation concluded at noon on Saturday after police and other authorities determined that there were no other people at the complex. The focus will now shift to improving living conditions at evacuation centres and helping to restore the lives of affected people.
As of 7.30am on Sunday, the number of collapsed or damaged houses totalled 3,851, more than double Friday's figure of 1,526. The increase includes properties in Kumamoto City and other areas. A total of 9,226 affected people are taking refuge at 210 evacuation centres.
After the headquarters' meeting on Saturday, Kumamoto Governor Takashi Kimura said, "Large-scale search and rescue operations have ended, marking the end of this phase."
The disaster headquarters said on Sunday that a fatality possibly linked to the disaster had been identified for the first time. According to the prefecture, a woman in her 70s was taken to hospital on Thursday due to suspected heatstroke. She was found in a car where she had taken refuge after the vehicle had run out of petrol and the air conditioning was no longer operating.
Including this case, the number of fatalities has increased by two to 38. Another two cases possibly linked to the earthquake are still under examination.
During the disaster headquarters meeting on Saturday, it was announced that all 12 municipalities that had planned to open temporary sites to accept disaster waste would begin accepting waste by Monday.
Meanwhile, the four fire departments covering municipalities where the quake registered at least upper 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale told The Yomiuri Shimbun that at least 80 people had been taken to hospital for heatstroke or suspected heatstroke over the five days since the earthquake struck.
Temperatures of 40°C or higher are expected on Monday. The prefectural government will accelerate the installation of portable air conditioners at evacuation centres. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said on Saturday that it had secured 73 accommodation facilities, mainly in Kumamoto Prefecture, capable of housing a total of 2,200 people.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Saturday called for water supplies to affected regions to be restored as quickly as possible.
Takaichi made the remarks at a meeting of the government's emergency disaster headquarters for the Kumamoto earthquake at the Prime Minister's Office.
"We are making efforts so that we can announce a forecast for emergency restoration [water supply] by sometime next week," Takaichi said.
The prime minister instructed the relevant Cabinet ministers to "do your utmost to restore the water and sewer infrastructure as quickly as possible."
Takaichi is making arrangements to visit Kumamoto Prefecture on Monday to inspect the disaster-stricken areas. In addition to exchanging views with the heads of affected municipalities, she is also considering visiting evacuation centres.- Japan News/ANN
