At least 42 killed as 500 quakes rock Japan island

More than 500 earthquakes have hit Kyushu Island in Japan since Thursday, killing at least 42 people and forcing major multinational companies to close factories.

More than 70 of the quakes have been at least a four on Japan’s intensity scale, strong enough to shake buildings, while some have measured as high as 7.3 magnitude.

About 30,000 rescue workers were scouring the rubble for survivors and handing out food to those unable to return to their homes following the quakes which struck Kyushu from Thursday. The biggest hit near Kumamoto City early on Saturday.