At least 18 people, including a foreigner, have been confirmed dead following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that ripped through Kumamoto on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu on Tuesday.

The prefectural government said almost 62 people were injured, with six of them critically wounded.

The tally had reportedly been growing steadily, fanning fears that it might continue to rise.

As of Wednesday, soldiers and emergency workers combed through a badly damaged shopping mall and collapsed houses looking for trapped survivors.

Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the death toll from the earthquake rose steadily.

“Even now, there are people waiting to be rescued, and this is a race against time,” Ms Takaichi stated.

Two women in their 20s were found dead early on Wednesday inside the partially collapsed shopping mall.

Hospitals have treated dozens of injured people. One hospital received more than 50 patients, while another treated about 40, including 10 in serious condition.