Japan earthquake death toll rises to 34 - as 9,000 remain in shelters in searing heat

The number dead in Japan's earthquake has risen to 34 - as 9,000 remain in temporary shelters in searing heat.

The 7.1-magnitude quake hit the southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday.

Rescuers are still looking for missing people but authorities haven't said how many are still unaccounted for.

Thirty-four deaths have now been confirmed, while more than 9,000 have taken refuge in temporary shelters, where air conditioning was being provided ahead of predicted 36C (97F) temperatures on Friday.

Many who can't yet return home have resorted to sleeping in their cars.

However, staying cool remains a problem as the air-con needs fuel to keep the engine running and petrol deliveries in the region have been scarce.

The number of households without power is down to the hundreds, but authorities said over 79,000 homes were still without tap water.

Rescuers with search dogs remain in the area around Kumamoto city, including at the collapsed shopping centre in the town of Kashima.

Thousands of people were at the complex when the earthquake struck and trapped people on the collapsed second floor.

The tremor also caused an explosion, likely due to a gas leak.

Seven people have been confirmed dead at the mall and 11 have been rescued, according to Japan's chief cabinet secretary.

Minoru Kihara also said the search was over at a paper factory in the Yatsushiro area, where a chimney collapsed and killed nine.

There are concerns the earthquake could disrupt semiconductor and vehicle supply chains as Kumamoto is a major industrial hub.

Chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which supplies the likes of Apple and Nvidia, evacuated staff during the quake.

It said operations were gradually resuming after the structure was found to be safe, but said thorough impact assessments were ongoing.

(c) Sky News 2026: Japan earthquake death toll rises to 34 - as 9,000 remain in shelters in searing heat