Japan Earthquake: 13 Confirmed Dead in Kumamoto

Tokyo. At least 13 people have been confirmed dead following a powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 in Japan's southern Kumamoto prefecture. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed the death toll, citing Japan's public broadcaster NHK.

According to Prime Minister Takaichi, it is still being investigated whether the deaths of some of the confirmed deceased are directly related to the earthquake or the aftershocks that followed. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning, she expressed condolences to the bereaved families, offering tribute to the deceased.