The death toll from Japan's 6.8-magnitude earthquake has climbed to 13, prime minister Sanae Takaichi said, as rescuers race to find survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.Takaichi said it is a “race against time” as many people are still awaiting rescue, with Japan Defence Forces and police leading the search and rescue operation. One of the worst-hit sites was an Aeon shopping mall in Kumamoto, where rescuers pulled eight people from the rubble after part of the building collapsed.Two women in their 20s were killed when an explosion of unknown origin tore through the mall about an hour after the earthquake. Authorities are investigating whether a gas leak triggered the blast. Elsewhere, seven people are missing after a chimney collapsed at a Nippon Paper Industries factory.Hospitals across the region are treating dozens of injured people, with some facilities struggling to cope after power outages disrupted operations.The earthquake knocked out electricity to more than 36,000 homes, damaged roads and highways, and prompted authorities to order around 260,000 people to evacuate to emergency shelters. Officials have also warned residents to prepare for strong aftershocks over the coming week and the risk of landslides.Latest pictures from Japan show extent of damageVehicles pass a damaged road after an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan's southern Kumamoto prefecture, in Hikawa town (Reuters)A man looks at a Torii gate that collapsed after an earthquake (Reuters)A vehicle passes by collapsed houses after an earthquake in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto prefecture (AP)The collapsed worship hall of Yatshushiro Shrine (Reuters)Akira Motoda walks inside his house damaged by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake in Uki city (AFP/Getty)Dishes and other kitchen items are scattered inside the home of Akira Motoda (AFP/Getty)Shweta Sharma29 July 2026 04:38Many remain missing at workplaces As the full extent of the damage from the earthquake continues to emerge, many people remain unaccounted for in companies and factories.Around 20 to 30 workers remain missing at the damaged Aeon shopping mall as emergency crews continue searching areas where calls for help were received.Rescuers pulled eight people from the rubble of the partially ​collapsed shopping mall early today.Seven people are also missing after a chimney collapsed at a Nippon Paper Industries factory, while four others are seriously injured, a ​local government official said. A drone view shows rescue workers at Nippon Paper Industries factory after an earthquake (Reuters)Shweta Sharma29 July 2026 04:27At least 13 people dead in earthquake as search continues for missingJapan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi said 13 people have died after a powerful earthquake and subsequent tremors rocked the Kyushu region.Kyodo News said a hospital in the city of Yatsushiro took in about 40 people with injuries and about 50 others were taken to a hospital in Kumamoto city. "There are people who are still waiting to be rescued, and it's a race against time," Takaichi said. "We will go all out to find and rescue as many people as we can."Takaichi offered her condolences to the victims and sympathy to their relatives, while urging those affected by the quake to take care of themselves under the hot weather. The collapsed worship hall of Yatshushiro Shrine after an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan's southern Kumamoto prefecture (Reuters)Shweta Sharma29 July 2026 03:52Harriette Boucher29 July 2026 03:00ICYMI: Around 3,600 military personnel dispatched to KumamotoAround 3,600 military personnel were sent to Kumamoto yesterday to help emergency service efforts, which continued through the night.It comes as workers urgently try to rescue the dozens of people who thought to be trapped in the Aeon Mall shopping centre in Kashima Town.Prime minister Sanae Takaichi said: “The government will work tirelessly through the night to swiftly assess the overall damage situation and carry out emergency disaster response measures, starting with the rescue and lifesaving of those affected.“At the same time, we will ensure the reliable delivery of essential supplies such as food and water, as well as simple air conditioners and power vehicles for heatstroke prevention, utilising push-type support where appropriate, and strive to secure a safe and suitable evacuation environment.”Harriette Boucher29 July 2026 02:00Harriette Boucher29 July 2026 01:00Is it safe to travel to Japan? Latest advice after deadly earthquake disrupts flights and trainsAs of Tuesday afternoon, the FCDO has warned travellers: “A large earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on 28 July 2026. There are reports of disruption to air and rail services.“Train lines in Kyushu have been suspended and flights to and from Kumamoto airport have been disrupted. Earthquake aftershocks may also continue.”General FCDO safety advice for Japan warns that the country sits “in a major earthquake zone”.Travellers are told to “take note of instructions in hotel rooms and at train stations and follow the advice of local authorities” in the event of a disaster.Per FlightRadar24, hundreds of flights to and from Japan are currently delayed following the earthquake, including at Kumamoto airport and Fukuoka airport on the island of Kyushu.Harriette Boucher29 July 2026 00:00In pictures: 6.8 quake devastates parts of Kumamoto (Reuters)(Reuters)(Reuters)The exterior wall of a shop is seen collapsed in an earthquake, in Kumamoto City (AFP/Getty)(Reuters)Harriette Boucher28 July 2026 23:00Two women dead following Aeon Mall explosion The explosion at Aeon shopping centre has killed at least two people, according to local media. Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that two women in their 20s died, while five others were injured in the disaster. This follows an earlier report from Kumamoto City's Disaster Management Division, which said that 10 people were missing. Harriette Boucher28 July 2026 22:28Kumamoto residents urged to avoid tap waterResidents of Kumamoto has been told not to drink the tap water.The government said cloudy water had been seen in parts of the city and it was inspecting water supply facilities. Electricity was cut to about 48,300 households in Kumamoto Prefecture following the powerful earthquake, according to Kyushu Electric Power.Harriette Boucher28 July 2026 22:07