In Photos: 7.1-magnitude earthquake hits southern Japan, death toll rises to 13

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit the Kumamoto area on the southern main island of Kyushu late Tuesday afternoon (Source: Photo by AP)

The earthquake caused massive damage to the region, leaving thousands of households without electricity (Source: Photo by AP)

Emergency responders, early on Wednesday (Jul 29), rescued eight people from the rubble of a partially collapsed shopping mall (Source: Photo by AP)

Japan’s local media reported that an explosion occurred at the Aeon Mall in Kumamoto following the massive earthquake, when the second floor of the building suddenly collapsed. According to local media reports, authorities are probing a possible gas explosion (Source: Photo by AP)

Japan’s top government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said that rescuers reported smelling gas inside the building; however, the cause of the incident was still under investigation (Source: Photo by AP)

Over 4,500 soldiers have been deployed across the quake-affected region to support search-and-rescue operations (Source: Photo by AP)

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that 13 people were confirmed dead after a powerful earthquake struck the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto (Source: Photo by AP)

She also urged residents in the quake-hit areas to prioritise their health and safety, warning them to take precautions against the intense summer heat as rescue and relief operations continued (Source: Photo by AP)

The earthquake also caused widespread destruction across Kumamoto prefecture. Roads cracked, bridges were damaged, buildings collapsed, and fires broke out in several locations. (Source: Photo by AP)

Several hospitals reported power outages and capacity constraints as they treated injured residents, while high-speed train services were suspended after passengers were hurt during the quake (Source: Photo by AP)

Around 260,000 residents were advised to evacuate, while more than 36,000 homes remained without electricity amid sweltering summer temperatures. Authorities warned residents to prepare for further strong aftershocks and possible landslides over the coming week (Source: Photo by AP)

Authorities warned residents to prepare for further strong aftershocks and possible landslides over the coming week. (Source: Photo by AP)