Rescue teams in southern Japan are in a desperate race against time to find survivors trapped after a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Kumamoto prefecture. The death toll has risen to at least 13, with ongoing searches focusing on collapsed structures. Reports indicate significant damage, including a collapsed chimney at a Nippon Paper Industries factory in Yatsushiro, sparking fears for workers inside. A factory employee, who was off-duty at the time of the quake, expressed shock and concern for his colleagues. The identities of those rescued and still missing remain unconfirmed as authorities prioritize the search and rescue operation. The situation remains fluid, and continued aftershocks pose further risks to both rescuers and potential survivors.