Hope dwindles for rescue in southwestern Japan quake as death toll climbs to 23

KUMAMOTO, Japan (AP) — Rural communities in southwestern Japan were struggling to get their lives back to normal Thursday, two days after a powerful earthquake set off an explosion at a mall, toppled a factory chimney and flattened homes, killing at least 23 people.

Time was running out to find survivors, as rescuers continued to work in the Kumamoto area on Japan ’s southern main island of Kyushu, where the magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit Tuesday.

The number of those missing was unclear. The quake left at least 63 people injured, five of them seriously, the Kumamoto prefectural government said.

Survivors spoke about coming home and desperately pulling family members out of the wreckage. Some had suffered injuries and were rushed to the hospital.

Thousands of people spent another night at evacuation centers set up throughout the area in gymnasiums and other big spaces. Some homes were still without water or electricity, while others were simply afraid to go back.

Although Japan boasts strict building codes because of the frequency of quakes in the country, some homes in the area are in the older style of Japanese housing, making them relatively fragile.

The most serious damage was at the Aeon Mall shopping center in the town of Kashima, which was bustling with thousands of people when the quake struck in the late afternoon.

The company said some 3,000 customers were evacuated to a parking lot before the explosion happened in another part of the mall, where some people were still working. The mall’s second floor collapsed, trapping people.

As of early Thursday, six people were confirmed to have died at the mall site among the 11 people pulled out of the wreckage, according to Kumamoto authorities.

Family members of those still missing could be seen wandering helplessly near the wrecked mall, waiting for word, despite the sweltering weather.

In the Yatsushiro area, where a chimney collapsed at a Nippon Paper Industries factory, 10 people were rescued, but eight others died, and one remained missing, according to the Kumamoto prefectural government disaster team.

Nearly 23,000 homes were still without electricity and more than 10,000 people were staying in the roughly 400 shelters, where power sources were being added to provide air conditioning.

Associated Press writer Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.

Firefighters gather at AEON Mall shopping center, where an explosion occurred following a powerful earthquake, in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Kai Naito/Kyodo News via AP)

Residents receive food supply following an earthquake in Hikawa, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Thursday, July 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

A person sits near a house damaged following an earthquake in Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Thursday, July 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

A firefighter carries a stretcher at AEON Mall shopping center, where an explosion occurred following a powerful earthquake, in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Kai Naito/Kyodo News via AP)

AEON Mall shopping center, where an explosion occurred following a powerful earthquake, is seen in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Kai Naito/Kyodo News via AP)

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Iván Herrera had a two-run double with one out in the 10th inning to give the St. Louis Cardinals a 3-2 comeback victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.

Herrera lined the double to left-center field off Trent Thornton (3-4) for his second career game-ending hit after Lars Nootbaar had a pinch-hit single, JJ Wetherholt walked and Jordan Walker drove in a run on a groundout to third. Herrera was 3 for 5.

Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a two-run homer, his 24th of the season off Luis Gastelum (2-1) in the top of the 10th to put Chicago ahead 2-1.

Justin Bruihl, Ryne Stanek, George Soriano and Riley O’Brien each tossed a hitless inning for St. Louis in relief of Dustin May, who allowed one hit and two walks on 70 pitches over five innings in what could be his final start before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

St. Louis snapped a three-game losing streak. It had lost nine of its last 11 games entering play Wednesday.

Cubs RHP Javier Assad (6-1, 3.86 ERA) has been moved up a day to face RHP Andre Pallante (11-6, 3.77) in the final game of the four-game series.

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St. Louis Cardinals' Iván Herrera watches the ball as he runs for a two RBI walk-off double during the tenth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals' Dustin May smiles as he talks with teammates in the dugout during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals' Ryne Stanek reacts after striking out Chicago Cubs' Dansby Swanson to end the top of the seventh inning during a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals' Iván Herrera is mobbed by teammates as they celebrate his walk-off double during the tenth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)