# Kumamoto earthquake death toll rises to 39 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20260728-kumamoto-earthquake-response > Updated: 2026-08-18T02:52:00.000Z. Sources: 1042. Developments: 5. The magnitude-7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on 28 July 2026 has resulted in a death toll of 39 as of 18 August. Of these fatalities, 36 are attributed directly to the tremor and one is a suspected heatstroke-related death. Total casualties have reached 205, with 23 individuals reported in critical condition. The disaster caused significant structural damage, including the destruction or partial collapse of approximately 32,000 buildings. Notable incidents included a gas-leak explosion at the Aeon Mall in Kashima that killed seven employees, and a chimney collapse at the Nippon Paper Industries plant in Yatsushiro. Infrastructure damage left tens of thousands without electricity or water services, with roughly 70,000 households initially lacking running water. Relief operations involve thousands of Self-Defense Forces, police, and international assistance. U.S. Forces Japan has airlifted 16 tons of drinking water to the region, while Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, opened a special donation account for relief efforts. Private sector aid has expanded, with Nintendo pledging 50 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross. Automotive supply-chain disruptions also forced Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Daihatsu, and Honda to halt production, potentially affecting over 10,000 vehicles. Scientific surveys of the Hinagu Fault Zone identified a 38-kilometer surface rupture, raising concerns about future seismic activity. As of mid-August, approximately 3,000 people remain in evacuation centers, continuing to face challenges from extreme summer heat. ## Claims - More than 4,500 Self‑Defense Forces soldiers were deployed for rescue work. (disputed by 5 sources) - The Japanese Self‑Defense Forces mobilised about 3,600 personnel for rescue operations. (disputed by 3 sources) - A magnitude‑7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 2026. (corroborated by 98 sources) - A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on 28 July 2026. (corroborated by 58 sources) - A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan on 28 July 2026. (corroborated by 41 sources) - A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 2026. (corroborated by 41 sources) - The quake reached Shindo intensity level 7, the maximum on Japan's scale. (corroborated by 40 sources) - A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture at 16:27 local time on 28 July 2026 (corroborated by 39 sources) - A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on 28 July 2026 at 16:27 local time. (corroborated by 37 sources) - A tsunami advisory for waves up to one metre was issued and later withdrawn; no tsunami was observed. (corroborated by 34 sources) - An explosion occurred inside the Aeon Mall in Kashima after the earthquake, causing part of the structure to collapse. (corroborated by 33 sources) - At least 50 people were injured and taken to hospitals. (corroborated by 31 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: Kumamoto earthquake death toll reaches 39 after three weeks Three weeks after the Kumamoto earthquake, the death toll has risen to 39. In Yatsushiro, survivors recount personal losses and the ongoing struggle of living in evacuation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kumamoto-earthquake-death-toll-reaches-39-after-three-weeks ### 2026-08-08: Kumamoto earthquake death toll reaches 39 as relief efforts continue The death toll from the 7.1-magnitude Kumamoto earthquake has risen to 39. Relief efforts include U.S. military water airlifts and Nintendo's pledge of free console repairs and humanitarian donations. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kumamoto-japan-earthquake-death-toll-climbs-to-39 ### 2026-07-30: Kumamoto Earthquake in Japan Leaves 28 Dead and Hundreds of Thousands Displaced A 6.8‑magnitude quake near Kumamoto, Japan killed 28 people and forced roughly 250,000 to evacuate. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-earthquake-kills-28-forces-250000-evacuations ### 2026-07-29: Kumamoto earthquake death toll rises to 36 as heat, water crises deepen Kumamoto’s 7.1 quake has killed 36, left 9 000+ evacuees without water, sparked a deadly mall explosion and halted major car production. 136 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kumamoto-japan-earthquake-death-toll-rises-to-35-as-rescue-work-continues ### 2026-07-26: Kumamoto earthquake kills at least 13, injures dozens as mall collapses A 7.1‑magnitude quake hit Kumamoto on 28 July 2026, max Shindo 7, killing at least 13, injuring dozens, collapsing Aeon Mall after an explosion, prompting massive evacuations and deployment of over 4,500 troops 981 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/minor-earthquakes-felt-in-herzegovina-and-slovenia --- Cite as: Kumamoto earthquake death toll rises to 39. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20260728-kumamoto-earthquake-response