World · East Asia & Pacific · 5 hrs ago
Kumamoto city recognizes first disaster-related death from July quake
A city in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture recognized a woman's death as disaster-related after the magnitude-7.1 earthquake on July 28.
The woman, who was in her 90s, fell during the quake and suffered a subdural hematoma.
Her consciousness was impaired, and her physical function and ability to swallow worsened before she died within a month.
The quake's death toll is now 39, including 36 direct deaths and two suspected disaster-related deaths.
Authorities use this category for deaths caused indirectly by a disaster, such as worsening health or stress in evacuation shelters.
The quake-hit municipalities of Hikawa and Uki each have one other suspected disaster-related death.
Indirect deaths have exceeded direct deaths in both the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake and the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.
Yatsushiro city recognized the death of a woman in her 90s as the first disaster-related fatality from the magnitude-7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28.
The woman died within a month of the quake after her health deteriorated following a fall during the earthquake.
The quake’s total death toll stands at 39, including two people suspected of dying from disaster-related causes.
The quake caused 36 direct deaths, while one person each in Hikawa and Uki is suspected of a disaster-related death.
- Who
- A woman in her 90s from Yatsushiro.
- What
- The city recognized her death as a disaster-related fatality from the July earthquake.
- When
- She died within a month of the July 28 quake. The city announced its recognition on Monday.
- Where
- Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.
- Why
- A fall during the quake caused a subdural hematoma and impaired consciousness, followed by worsening physical function and swallowing ability.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture.
The woman in her 90s died after her health deteriorated following a fall during the earthquake.
Yatsushiro city recognized her death as a disaster-related fatality.
- Magnitude
- 7.1
- Earthquake date
- July 28
- Yatsushiro woman's age
- In her 90s
- Total fatalities
- 39, including two suspected disaster-related deaths
- Direct fatalities
- 36