Kumamoto Earthquake Death Toll
Kumamoto Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 38, Latest Official Report Says
Last updated: August 4, 2026, 8:00 a.m. JST
The death toll from the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake has risen to 38, according to the latest official report issued by Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
The agency’s 36th situation report, released at 7:30 a.m. on August 4, listed 38 deaths and 123 injured people across Kumamoto and neighbouring prefectures.
The figure is substantially higher than the 28 deaths announced by the Japanese government on July 30. The increase reflects the recovery of additional victims, the formal confirmation of people previously reported in cardiopulmonary arrest and the continued reconciliation of police, medical and local-government records.
All 64 rescue incidents reported to fire authorities have now been dealt with. The latest official table does not list anyone as missing, although investigations into the classification and circumstances of some deaths are continuing.
Latest Kumamoto Earthquake Casualty Figures
As of 7:30 a.m. on August 4, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported the following figures:
- 38 deaths
- 16 seriously injured people
- 107 people with minor or other injuries
- 123 injured people in total
- 161 deaths and injuries combined
- No missing people listed in the latest official table
- All 64 reported rescue incidents dealt with
- All 11 reported fires extinguished
Of the 123 injured people, 119 were in Kumamoto Prefecture. Two injuries were reported in Fukuoka Prefecture, with one each in Oita and Kagoshima prefectures.
The figures remain provisional and may be revised as authorities complete investigations and local governments update their records.
Where Were the 38 Deaths Reported?
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency provided the following geographical breakdown for 36 of the deaths in Kumamoto Prefecture:
| Location | Deaths |
|---|---|
| Yatsushiro City | 20 |
| Uki City | 3 |
| Kashima Town | 7 |
| Kosa Town | 1 |
| Hikawa Town | 5 |
| Subtotal | 36 |
The report separately listed one person who may have died because an injury or illness was worsened by the disaster or by the physical strain caused by it.
One additional death remained under investigation to determine its relationship to the earthquake.
These cases bring the official total to 38.
Why Did the Death Toll Rise From 28 to 38?
On July 30, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara announced that police had reported 28 deaths.
At that time, the figure included several cases whose connection to the disaster had not yet been established. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency’s separate locality-based report listed only 17 confirmed deaths during the same period.
The difference did not mean that the figures should be added together. They represented overlapping reports collected through different systems and at different times.
During the following days, rescue workers recovered more victims from collapsed structures, doctors formally confirmed the deaths of people previously described as being in cardiopulmonary arrest and government agencies reconciled their records.
By August 2, the reported death toll had reached 36. The August 4 Fire and Disaster Management Agency report increased the official number to 38.
Seven People Died at AEON Mall Kumamoto
Seven people were confirmed dead at AEON Mall Kumamoto in Kashima Town, one of the most severely damaged locations in the disaster.
The shopping centre was open when the magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck on July 28. Approximately 3,000 customers were evacuated to the parking area after the initial shaking.
A powerful explosion later occurred inside the building. Walls and part of the second floor collapsed, trapping employees and others beneath the debris.
After several days of rescue work, emergency teams recovered the bodies of seven people and rescued five others alive. Authorities ended the large-scale search operation at the mall on August 1.
AEON Mall has said it believes the explosion was caused by a gas leak. However, police, fire authorities and other investigators continue to examine the precise origin of the leak, the ignition source and the sequence of events that led to the explosion.
Employees Returned to the Building After the Evacuation
It later emerged that some employees had remained inside or returned to the shopping centre after customers were evacuated.
A company operating a store inside the mall acknowledged that two employees who died had been instructed to place sales proceeds in a safe if it was possible to do so.
The company subsequently apologised to the victims’ families and admitted that protecting money should not have been prioritised over the safety of employees.
Investigators are expected to examine evacuation procedures, instructions given to workers and whether access to the damaged building should have been more strictly controlled.
Nine Workers Died at the Nippon Paper Factory
Nine workers were confirmed dead after a large chimney collapsed at the Nippon Paper Industries factory in Yatsushiro City.
Eleven workers were trapped when the earthquake caused the chimney and surrounding structures to collapse.
Two workers were rescued alive, while nine were later confirmed dead.
The factory disaster contributed to the high death toll in Yatsushiro City, where the Fire and Disaster Management Agency listed 20 deaths in total.
The Yatsushiro figure includes deaths at the paper factory as well as fatalities at homes and other locations in the city.
A Woman Died While Sheltering in a Car
One of the later deaths was a woman in her seventies who was found in a car after apparently developing heat stroke.
She had been sheltering in the vehicle in an area affected by extreme summer temperatures, water shortages and limited fuel supplies.
Her death highlighted the health risks faced by people sleeping in vehicles after the earthquake.
Many residents chose vehicle evacuation because their homes were damaged, they feared strong aftershocks or they wanted more privacy than was available in crowded evacuation centres.
However, people sleeping in vehicles face risks including:
- Heat stroke and dehydration
- Deep-vein thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolism, commonly known as economy-class syndrome
- Sleep deprivation and exhaustion
- Worsening of existing medical conditions
- Carbon monoxide poisoning if engines or heating equipment are used unsafely
Authorities urged people staying in cars to drink water regularly, move their legs, take breaks in air-conditioned locations and seek assistance before fuel supplies run out.
Direct Deaths and Disaster-Related Deaths
Japan’s disaster statistics may distinguish between deaths caused directly by the physical effects of an earthquake and deaths caused indirectly by the conditions created by the disaster.
Direct deaths
Direct deaths result from the immediate physical effects of the earthquake.
Examples include:
- Being trapped beneath a collapsed building
- Being struck by falling debris
- Death in a fire or explosion triggered by earthquake damage
- Being crushed by damaged industrial equipment
- Death caused by a landslide or damaged road
Disaster-related deaths
Disaster-related deaths occur when evacuation conditions, interrupted medical care or the physical and psychological strain of the disaster causes or worsens a fatal illness.
Possible examples include:
- Heat stroke during evacuation
- Pulmonary embolism associated with sleeping in a vehicle
- Pneumonia or dehydration at an evacuation centre
- Interruption of dialysis, medication or other medical treatment
- Worsening heart or respiratory disease
- Severe physical or psychological stress
Formal certification of a disaster-related death normally requires an investigation by the relevant local authority.
For this reason, the final Kumamoto earthquake death toll could change even after all search and rescue operations have ended.
One Death Remains Under Investigation
The August 4 report includes one death whose connection to the disaster was still being investigated.
This does not necessarily mean that the case is suspected of being unrelated to the earthquake.
It means investigators still need to examine evidence such as:
- The location and time of death
- The person’s medical history
- The condition of the building or surrounding area
- Whether evacuation or interruption of medical care contributed
- Police and medical findings
The case may later be classified as a direct earthquake death, a disaster-related death or a death unrelated to the disaster.
What Does Cardiopulmonary Arrest Mean?
During the first several days after the earthquake, Japanese reports frequently referred to people being found in “cardiopulmonary arrest.”
The term means that a person has no detectable breathing or heartbeat.
In many disaster cases, the person may already have died, but Japanese authorities generally wait for a doctor to formally confirm death before including the person in the official death toll.
This reporting practice explains why early news reports listed confirmed deaths and cardiopulmonary-arrest cases separately.
Once doctors completed the necessary examinations, some of those cases were added to the confirmed death toll.
How the Kumamoto Earthquake Death Toll Changed
| Date | Reported situation |
|---|---|
| July 28 | Initial reports confirmed at least two deaths as rescue operations began. |
| July 29 | The reported toll rose to 13 as more victims were found at collapsed buildings and industrial sites. |
| July 30, early morning | Kumamoto Prefecture and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency listed 17 confirmed deaths. |
| July 30, government announcement | The Chief Cabinet Secretary announced a broader police-based total of 28 deaths, including cases still under investigation. |
| August 2 | The reported death toll reached 36 after additional victims were confirmed and a heat-related death was added. |
| August 4 | The Fire and Disaster Management Agency’s 36th report listed 38 deaths. |
All Reported Rescue Incidents Have Been Dealt With
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said that all 64 rescue incidents reported after the earthquake had been dealt with by August 4.
The latest official casualty table did not list anyone as missing.
Local fire departments and emergency assistance teams rescued a cumulative total of 98 people following the earthquake.
Emergency services also carried out 620 ambulance transports, including five by helicopter.
Although large-scale rescue operations have ended, police, fire departments and local governments continue to inspect damaged buildings, investigate deaths and support residents in affected communities.
Eleven Fires Were Extinguished
Authorities reported 11 fires following the earthquake.
All 11 had been extinguished by the time of the August 4 report.
Earthquake-related fires may be caused by damaged gas pipes, electrical wiring, cooking appliances, industrial equipment or fuel facilities.
The explosion at AEON Mall Kumamoto is being investigated separately because of its scale and the number of deaths.
How Many People Were Injured?
The latest official report listed 123 injured people across four prefectures.
| Prefecture | Seriously injured | Minor or other injuries | Total injured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kumamoto | 15 | 104 | 119 |
| Fukuoka | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Oita | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kagoshima | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 16 | 107 | 123 |
People treated at local clinics, temporary medical stations or evacuation centres may be added if additional reports are submitted.
More Than 7,000 Homes Damaged
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency’s August 4 report listed 7,285 damaged homes.
| Type of residential damage | Number of homes |
|---|---|
| Completely destroyed | 700 |
| Partially destroyed | 1,045 |
| Partially damaged | 5,540 |
| Total | 7,285 |
Almost all of the housing damage was reported in Kumamoto Prefecture. Eight partially damaged homes were also recorded in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Damage inspections were continuing, meaning the number of affected buildings could increase as municipal officials reach more communities and complete assessments.
Strong Aftershocks Continued
The main earthquake occurred at approximately 4:27 p.m. Japan Standard Time on July 28.
The Japan Meteorological Agency measured it at magnitude 7.1. Seismic intensity 7, the highest level on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, was recorded in Uki City and Hikawa Town.
Several strong aftershocks followed.
Earthquakes producing seismic intensity 5-lower were recorded on July 28, July 29 and August 1.
The August 1 aftershock produced seismic intensity 5-lower in Uki City, demonstrating that strong shaking continued several days after the main earthquake.
Residents were advised to remain away from damaged buildings, unstable walls and slopes even after the conclusion of rescue operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest Kumamoto earthquake death toll?
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported 38 deaths as of 7:30 a.m. on August 4, 2026.
How many people were injured?
The latest official report listed 123 injured people, including 16 who were seriously injured.
How many people died at AEON Mall Kumamoto?
Seven people were confirmed dead at the mall. Five other people were rescued alive. The large-scale search operation ended on August 1.
How many people died at the Nippon Paper factory?
Nine workers died after a chimney collapsed at the Yatsushiro factory. Two workers were rescued alive.
Why did earlier reports say 28 people had died?
The figure of 28 was a police-based total announced on July 30. At that time, rescue operations and investigations were still underway. Additional victims were later recovered or formally confirmed dead.
Are people still missing?
The August 4 Fire and Disaster Management Agency table did not list anyone as missing. All 64 reported rescue incidents had been dealt with.
Are all 38 deaths confirmed as direct earthquake deaths?
No. The total includes one person who may have died because an injury or illness was worsened by the disaster or its physical burden, and one death whose relationship to the disaster remained under investigation.
Could the death toll change again?
Yes. The figure may be revised if the death under investigation is reclassified or if additional disaster-related deaths are later certified by local authorities.
How many homes were damaged?
The latest official report listed 7,285 damaged homes, including 700 that were completely destroyed.
Conclusion
The official Kumamoto earthquake death toll reached 38 on August 4, 2026, up from the 28 deaths announced by the Japanese government on July 30.
Seven people died at AEON Mall Kumamoto after an explosion and structural collapse, while nine workers died when a chimney collapsed at the Nippon Paper Industries factory in Yatsushiro.
A woman who apparently developed heat stroke while sheltering in a car was also added to the death toll, highlighting the serious health risks created by prolonged evacuation during extreme summer heat.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported 123 injured people and damage to 7,285 homes. All 64 reported rescue incidents had been dealt with, and the latest official table listed no missing people.
However, one death remained under investigation and another may have resulted from an injury or illness worsened by the disaster. The final death toll could therefore be revised as local authorities complete their investigations and consider applications for recognition as disaster-related deaths.
