The death toll from a powerful earthquake on Japan's Kyushu island has risen to 13, as rescuers continue to search for survivors. Soldiers and emergency workers combed through a badly damaged shopping mall and collapsed houses on Wednesday, looking for people trapped beneath the rubble. The earthquake struck Kyushu, Japan's southernmost major island, causing widespread destruction. Images from the affected areas show buildings reduced to debris, with rescue crews working tirelessly to locate the missing. The Japanese government has mobilized military personnel to assist in the search and recovery efforts. Officials have not yet provided a final count of the missing, but the number is expected to be significant given the scale of the damage. The quake has left many residents homeless, with emergency shelters set up to accommodate those displaced. Authorities are urging caution as aftershocks continue to rattle the region, hampering rescue operations and raising the risk of further collapses. The exact magnitude and epicenter of the earthquake have not been disclosed in initial reports, but the impact has been severe, with entire neighborhoods flattened. The search effort is focused on commercial areas and residential zones that bore the brunt of the shaking. Medical teams are on standby to treat the injured, and supplies are being rushed to the hardest-hit areas. The death toll is expected to climb as rescuers gain access to more isolated communities. Japan, a country accustomed to seismic activity, has activated its disaster response protocols, but the scale of this event poses significant challenges.