At least 13 people have been confirmed dead following the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the southern Japanese prefecture of Kumamoto, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.
The total includes deaths where the connection to the earthquake and the various aftershocks are still be investigated, she said.
“I offer my sincere condolences to the memory of the deceased and extend my heartfelt sympathies to their family,” Takaichi told reporters on Wednesday morning local time.
“People are still waiting for help, and every second counts,” she said.
