Kumamoto earthquake death toll reaches 28 including suspected cases: Japan gov't

TOKYO - Japan's top government spokesperson said Thursday that the death toll from the Kumamoto earthquake has risen to 28.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said at a press conference that the latest figure, as of 6:30 am local time, included those whose deaths are still being investigated for possible links to the magnitude 7.1 tremor.

Meanwhile, at a disaster response headquarters meeting held Thursday morning, Kumamoto Prefecture officials said 17 people had been confirmed dead and six others were in cardiac arrest following the powerful earthquake, while at least one other person remains unaccounted for.

Prefectural officials also said that 415 evacuation shelters have been opened across the prefecture, with 10,467 people taking refuge there.

In addition, power outages have affected approximately 22,950 households in the southwestern prefecture.