health
Japan’s prime minister tours earthquake-hit sites as recovery efforts hampered by soaring temperatures
Prime minister Sanae Takaichi visited Kumamoto prefecture almost a week after a magnitude 7.1 quake hit, killing 38 people
TL;DR
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited Kumamoto prefecture, almost a week after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake killed 38 people.
- Recovery efforts are hampered by extreme heat (up to 40C) and shortages of water and fuel.
- Over 46,000 households remain without water, and more than 8,500 people are in crowded emergency shelters.
- Takaichi's visit to a well-equipped shelter drew criticism on social media for distorting the reality of the situation.
- The governor of Kumamoto requested further government support for evacuation centers lacking clean water and medical care.
- A company acknowledged instructing two employees to return to a collapsed mall to secure sales proceeds, leading to their deaths in an explosion.
- The explosion at the collapsed Aeon mall is believed to be caused by a gas leak.