A magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto in southwestern Japan on the afternoon of July 28, causing the maximum level of 7 on the country’s seismic intensity scale. Numerous houses collapsed, while roads and power systems were damaged, forcing thousands of people to evacuate.

Rescue workers search through the rubble of a collapsed house in Yatsushiro city, Kumamoto, on the morning of July 30, 2026. (Photo: Jiji Press)

Five Vietnamese workers rescue elderly woman from collapsed house

Amid reports of damage caused by the earthquake, the rescue efforts of five Vietnamese workers in Yatsuhiro city drew considerable attention from the local community.

After the earthquake, while returning to their accommodation, the group of Vietnamese specified skilled workers discovered that the home of a nearly 90-year-old neighbour had collapsed. Knowing that she lived alone and might still be trapped inside, they immediately rushed to help.

Without specialised rescue equipment, the five Vietnamese workers and local residents removed roof tiles, bricks, and wooden beams by hand. They later found a saw and other tools to clear the remaining obstacles, despite the risk of further collapse and continuing aftershocks.

After sustained efforts, the group reached the trapped woman and brought her safely out of the house. Le Huy Tuan, one of the five workers involved in the rescue, said that when they discovered the incident, their only thought was to get the elderly woman out of the collapsed house as quickly as possible.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Vietnamese representative agencies in Japan had acknowledged and commended Vietnamese citizens who actively supported local communities following the earthquake.

Consulate General of Vietnam provides relief to citizens

According to the Consulate General of Vietnam in Fukuoka, until the end of July 29, no additional casualties involving Vietnamese citizens had been recorded in the earthquake in Kumamoto.

Vietnamese people in the affected area were generally safe, but many were in urgent need of drinking water and food.

According to a VNA correspondent in Japan, on July 29, Consul representing the Vietnamese Consulate General in Fukuoka Vu Van Truong held a working session with Tonan Group and representatives of the Kumamoto Hiro Zukuri labour union at the headquarters of Kyushu formed steel processing company, a Tonan affiliate.

After inspecting the situation at the site with relevant parties, Consul Vu Van Truong, on behalf of the Consulate General, thanked the labour union and company for providing the best possible support to Vietnamese interns working there.

Representatives of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Fukuoka present relief goods to Vietnamese nationals (Photo: VNA)

Consul Vu Van Truong also worked with the company, the sending organisation, and the family of Tran Van Son, who was killed in the earthquake.

On the same day, Consul Vu Van Truong continued meeting and assisting Vietnamese citizens in Yatsushiro city, where many Vietnamese interns had taken shelter following the earthquake.

During a working session with the company and labour union that dispatched Tran Van Son to Japan (Photo: VNA)

Under the plan, on July 29, the Consulate General coordinated with associations and volunteer groups to distribute relief supplies at five locations with the highest concentrations of Vietnamese people in the affected area. The largest site was sheltering around 50-60 people. Citizen protection efforts, assessments of the Vietnamese community’s situation and identification of support needs in each area are continuing.

In the context that labour unions and employers have not yet been able to meet all workers’ needs, relief organisations in Kumamoto are urgently purchasing and gathering drinking water and food for delivery to affected areas. The assistance is intended not only for the Vietnamese community but also for Indonesian and Cambodian workers facing difficulties after the earthquake.

According to updated figures from the Kumamoto authorities as of the afternoon of July 29, 465 evacuation centres had been opened across Kumamoto, accommodating 9,872 people; around 36,700 households had lost electricity. Japanese authorities continued searching for people trapped in affected areas and assessing damage to homes and infrastructure.

Vietnamese in Japan Sends Aid to Earthquake-Affected Communities The Vietnamese community handed over the third round of support for earthquake victims in Japan.

Japan Book Week in Vietnam: Bridging Bilateral People-to-people Relations On July 1, the “Japan Book Week,” themed “Japan on Every Page,” took place at Fahasa Nguyen Hue Bookstore in Ho Chi Minh City.