The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan's Kyushu island on July 28 has risen to 38, with at least 139 people reported injured.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing the Associated Press, water supply disruptions continue to affect approximately 69,000 households. At least 9,200 residents remain in evacuation centers following the disaster.
The 7.1 magnitude earthquake is considered one of the most powerful seismic events to hit the region in recent years. In addition to emergency and rescue services, approximately 4,600 members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces have been deployed to assist in ongoing search and recovery operations.
Japan is situated along the "Pacific Ring of Fire," a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. Due to its unique geographical location, the country maintains some of the world's strictest building codes and disaster preparedness protocols to mitigate the impact of frequent seismic activity.
