Japan earthquake death toll rises to 28 as evacuees battle sweltering heat

Japan earthquake death toll rises to 28 as evacuees battle sweltering heatImage source, JIJI Press / AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, The quake caused widespread damage to houses and power lines across Kumamoto prefectureByKoh EwePublished42 minutes agoThe number of people who have died after a powerful earthquake hit southwestern Japan has risen to 28, authorities said on Thursday. Rescuers are still working to find survivors after the magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island on Tuesday, causing widespread damage to houses and power lines. Several people died after part of a shopping centre collapsed and an explosion ripped through the mall about an hour later.Thousands of displaced residents are now staying in evacuation centres - though the challenge is to keep them cool and hydrated as the region battles sweltering heat.Temperatures could reach 39C in the prefecture in the coming days, according to forecasts, with officials urging survivors and rescuers to take precautions against heatstroke.On Wednesday, Japan's defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the delivery of 300 air conditioners to Kumamoto, with 150 of the units bound for evacuation centres.Around 9,000 displaced residents have been put up in evacuation centres, and more than 30,000 households were out of power as of Wednesday.More than 100 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial quake, and many have taken to sleeping in their cars for fear of further tremors.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedFigure caption, Recovery operations continue in Kumamoto after quakeThousands of personnel have been deployed for search-and-rescue operations. Many are digging through rubble at Kashima's Aeon shopping centre, one of the worst-hit buildings where a portion of the second floor collapsed.The mall was also rocked by an explosion about an hour after the initial quake.The president of Aeon said it was "ve...