Kumamoto: The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck Japan's southwestern Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island this week has risen to 30, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on Thursday, according to public broadcaster NHK.

According to Anadolu Agency, Prime Minister Takaichi, speaking at a government meeting, stated that the death toll includes individuals whose deaths are still under investigation to confirm if they were directly related to the 7.1-magnitude earthquake that occurred on Tuesday. The quake resulted in significant damage to housing and power lines across the affected region.

In the aftermath of the disaster, search and rescue operations are ongoing, particularly at a collapsed shopping mall and a damaged paper factory where authorities are working tirelessly to locate any survivors or casualties.

The Kyushu Shinkansen Line, a major transportation route between Kumamoto and Kagoshima-chuo stations, remains suspended as officials continue to assess the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake.

As of Thursday morning, more than 10,000 residents have sought refuge in evacuation centers, highlighting the scale of displacement and the urgent need for relief efforts in the area.