The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Japan’s southwestern Kumamoto prefecture last week has risen to 38, as thousands of people remain in evacuation shelters, state media reported.
Authorities said they have confirmed the deaths of 36 people while two deaths are still being investigated to determine whether they were caused by last Tuesday’s magnitude 7.1 tremor, state broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday.
More than 9,200 people remain in 210 evacuation shelters, while over 3,400 houses were damaged by the powerful quake.
Tap water was unavailable at more than 69,000 households and businesses in Kumamoto.
Medical facilities hit by the quake are also working to recover.
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