Victims weary as Southwest Japan endures second major quake in a decade

Evacuees rest in a shelter in Uki, Kumamoto prefecture. (AFP pic)UKI: Sachi Nishiyama spent two years in temporary housing after twin quakes devastated southwestern Japan in 2016. This week, after another deadly jolt, she slept in her car which offers air conditioning and privacy, but is "exhausting".Temperatures were set to hit at least 35C on Thursday in the Kumamoto region, two days after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake wreaked major damage and killed at least 28 people.Power and water outages have affected tens of thousands of buildings, leaving residents sweltering and thirsty as they fear another big quake -- like the one 10 years ago."When this quake hit, I immediately knew the epicentre was close," 30-year-old Nishiyama told AFP."I didn't think this was going to happen here again."In April 2016, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto two days after a magnitude 6.5 tremor.

Together those quakes killed 273 people.The Aeon shopping mall was renovated extensively to make it stronger and safer after suffering severe damage in the 2016 disaster.The sprawling complex had reopened gleaming following another makeover in June this year, promising a place where generations could "share smiles" a decade on.But a suspected gas explosion, around an hour after Tuesday's quake, has left the facility -- which housed global fashion brands, a cinema and a food court -- in ruins, with four people confirmed dead there.Businessman Fumihiko Matsuura, 56, watched the latest "Toy Story" movie at the mall around a week ago."I was just here," he told AFP. "It's like I narrowly escaped the danger." Very toughAftershocks rattle the area a few times an hour throughout the day."I have bottled water and other supplies," Matsuura said, adding he would "stay scared and cautious for the next few days" in case another big quake strikes."You know -- what happens twice will happen three times," he said, using a Japanese saying.Masao Mitsunaga, 57, was playing on his computer in his home office on Tuesday when his home, which he shares with his mother and brother, began shaking violently."I couldn't stand up. It was definitely bigger than 10 years ago.

I thought my house was going to collapse," he told AFP.A power outage then hit in the early hours of Thursday, so the family came to an emergency shelter to escape the intense heat, forecast to reach 38C this weekend.Convenie…