Death Toll From Kumamoto Earthquake Climbs to 34

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan earlier this week has risen to 34, including deaths suspected to be disaster-related, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Thursday, according to Mainichi Japan.

Eight fatalities were reported at Nippon Paper Industries Co.'s plant in Yatsushiro and six at an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima. [Photo: AEON MALL]

Meanwhile, the Kumamoto Prefectural Government reported 18 confirmed deaths, including eight fatalities at Nippon Paper Industries Co.'s plant in Yatsushiro and six at an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima, where an explosion occurred after the magnitude 7.1 earthquake two days earlier.

The prefecture's confirmed fatalities also included three deaths in Yatsushiro and one in the town of Kosa.

Authorities said the remaining missing worker at the paper plant has been located, although the individual's condition has yet to be confirmed.

Separately, the Uki City government informed Kyodo News that it was aware of two additional deaths that had not yet been included in the prefecture's official tally.

The Vietnam News Agency also reported that a Vietnamese technical trainee died after being crushed by a crane at a factory in Kosa.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said discrepancies between casualty figures released by the national government and Kumamoto Prefecture are expected at this stage because the central government relies on police and fire department data, while the prefecture compiles reports submitted by municipalities.