Rescue operations are ongoing in Japan following a major earthquake that occurred earlier this week. Emergency workers are currently focused on clearing debris from a collapsed shopping mall in hopes of finding survivors. The disaster has caused extensive infrastructure damage, including the destruction of homes and bridges, while also triggering fires across the affected areas.

There is a discrepancy in the reported number of fatalities. TASS reports the death toll at 28, while France24 reports that the number of confirmed deaths has reached 34.

Beyond the immediate search for survivors, the situation for residents remains difficult. Tens of thousands of people are currently without access to electricity or running water. The humanitarian situation is further complicated by a severe heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) over the coming weekend. This extreme weather is significantly hindering recovery efforts and increasing the strain on those displaced by the quake.