Japanese Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 34

JAKARTA - The number of deaths due to a strong earthquake that hit Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in southwest Japan continues to increase to 34 people.

Local authorities are still determining whether nine of the deaths are directly related to the disaster, according to a government statement reported by Sputnik, Thursday, July 30.

A total of 22 people suffered minor injuries, 39 people suffered moderate injuries, and five others suffered serious injuries, said Kumamoto authorities.

It is said that the severity of the wounds suffered by the other 20 people is still uncertain.

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake shook the area around Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in the southwestern region of Japan on Tuesday (28/7).

According to reports from the relevant authorities, the earthquake had a shallow depth of 16 kilometers (10 miles).