Japan earthquake death toll rises as rescue teams search for missing amid aftershocks

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At least five people have been killed, and nine are missing after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan on Tuesday, injuring hundreds and knocking out power and water to tens of thousands. The quake – which registered a maximum 7 on the Japanese shindo intensity scale – hit at 4.27pm on Tuesday, centred on Kumamoto prefecture on the southern Kyushu island. Rescue crews are now sifting through the wreckage at key sites, including that of a paper mill in Yatsushiro, where a chimney collapsed. Two workers were found and taken to hospital in a state of cardiac arrest. Nine workers are still missing. The Japanese military has mobilised 3,600…

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