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'I thought I would die': Survivors describe the shock and horror of powerful Japan earthquake

Rescue operations are ongoing after a magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region of southern Japan, as survivors describe the shock of the disaster. Efforts to free people trapped under rubble continue as the death toll rises.

A grey, overcast coastline view
A grey, overcast coastline viewPhoto: Dijanynni Kiratza / Pexels
BBC Asia1 h agoTSM 7203.T
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The magnitude-6.8 earthquake that struck the Kumamoto region of southern Japan flattened buildings and left thousands of residents gripped by terror. Survivors describe the tremor turning their homes to rubble within seconds, with many saying they believed they would die in the moments after it hit.

Rescue teams have been combing through collapsed buildings searching for people still trapped, with military units and search-and-rescue dogs deployed to the region. Officials say the risk of aftershocks is complicating rescue efforts.

The quake also disrupted industrial operations in the region, temporarily halting some production lines at major manufacturers including TSMC and Toyota. Authorities warn the death toll could still rise and that damage assessments may take days to complete.

GeopoliticsTSM7203.TAsiaBBC Asia
Source: BBC Asia
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This article is an AI-curated summary of the original story published by BBC Asia. The illustration is a stock photo by Dijanynni Kiratza from Pexels and is not from the original story.

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