Quake toll rises to 18 as rescuers race to find survivors in Japan

Kumamoto: Rescuers, soldiers and emergency workers searched collapsed buildings on Wednesday after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake killed at least 18 people and injured 62 in Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu. Authorities warned the death toll could rise as search operations continued.

The worst damage was reported at the Aeon Mall in Kashima city, where the second floor collapsed and a gas explosion followed the evacuation of about 3,000 shoppers. Four deaths were confirmed at the site, while three people remained missing.

Five people were killed in a chimney collapse at a Nippon Paper Industries factory, while a Vietnamese technical intern died after a crane fell on him at another factory.

Nearly 34,900 homes rem­ained without electricity and 15,000 without running water as thousands took shelter. PM Sanae Takaichi vowed to continue rescue efforts.

—AP