Japan earthquake death toll rises to 30 as evacuees battle sweltering heat

The number of people who have died after a powerful earthquake hit southwestern Japan has risen to 30, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Thursday.

Rescuers are still working to find survivors after the magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island on Tuesday, causing widespread damage, flattening homes, damaging bridges, triggering fires and leaving tens of thousands of residents without power and water.

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.