One person died and 188 residents were evacuated after a massive fire swept through at least 170 buildings in a residential area on the island of Kyushu, southern Japan, authorities reported on Wednesday.

The regional government confirmed one fatality. Public broadcaster NHK reported that police, who had been searching for a missing 76-year-old man, found a body inside his home.

Footage recorded on Tuesday night showed firefighters spraying water on towering flames engulfing homes, while residents were escorted to an improvised evacuation center.

“The flames rose so high they turned the sky red. The wind was strong. I never imagined it would spread so far,” a man told NHK.

“I was shaking with fear. I had never seen a column of fire like that,” another witness said.

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The fire broke out late Tuesday, with at least 170 buildings affected. According to NHK, the blaze spread rapidly, likely fueled by a lack of rainfall, dry air, and the tightly packed wooden houses characteristic of the area.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced on Saturday that the United States will restore ambassador-level diplomatic relations with Bolivia after 17 years. The statement came during his visit to La Paz to attend the inauguration of Bolivia’s new president, Rodrigo Paz Pereira.

In a brief appearance before the media, Landau noted that in recent weeks Washington had maintained “very close relations with the president-elect.”
“And now that he is officially president, we will restore relations at the ambassador level, as it should have always been,” he said, speaking alongside President Paz.

Landau described it as “highly unusual” and “very unfortunate” that the two nations have spent years without ambassadors in each other’s capitals — Washington, D.C., and La Paz.

“Diplomacy is ultimately about communication. Without an ambassador in the other country’s capital, that becomes more difficult,” the U.S. official emphasized, expressing hopes that the appointment of new ambassadors will be announced “very soon.”

He also recalled that President Paz has expressed his interest in maintaining a strong bilateral relationship, adding that the United States “reciprocally wants to establish a good relationship with this new Bolivian government.”

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For his part, President Paz thanked the U.S. delegation led by Landau for attending his inauguration and asked him to “convey a message of cordiality and friendship” to President Donald Trump and all levels of the U.S. government.

Salvadoran medical personnel delivered medicines and supplies to Black River Hospital in Saint Elizabeth as part of the humanitarian mission deployed by President Nayib Bukele to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms to hit the Caribbean in recent history.

“The delivered medicines included antibiotics, pain relievers, gauze, IV fluids, antifungal and anti-allergy creams, among other essential supplies,” the Office of the President stated on its official X account.

Authorities reported that a total of two tons of medical supplies were transported to reinforce healthcare in the most heavily affected areas.

Additionally, a medical team from the Solidarity Fund for Health (Fosalud) carried out a mobile clinic in Darliston, providing care to children, the elderly, and individuals suffering from respiratory and skin conditions.

“The goal was to provide direct assistance and ease the burden on local health centers,” the Office of the President reiterated.

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As part of the mission, humanitarian aid packages continue to be delivered to hundreds of families, ensuring that support reaches prioritized households.

The relief packages include staple foods such as rice, beans, sugar, cooking oil, tuna, and pasta, along with essential personal hygiene items to help families cope with the emergency, officials said.

“In Gordon Town, the work of the Salvadoran teams stood out for their close engagement with the community and their focus on assisting the most vulnerable first. The humanitarian approach emphasized efficiency in every delivery,” the statement added.

The mission is comprised of more than 300 professionals, including members of the Salvadoran Fire Department, Civil Protection, the Armed Forces (FAES), the National Civil Police (PNC), and healthcare personnel.

In coordination with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), teams have also been deployed to clear debris and remove fallen trees blocking roads and homes, reducing risks and restoring mobility to the affected areas.

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Hurricane Melissa, which reached Category 5 status with winds exceeding 290 km/h, struck the island last week, leaving at least 32 people dead and causing devastation comparable to some of the region’s worst natural disasters. Major impacts were reported in road infrastructure, housing, schools, hospitals, and the electrical system, along with severe damage to the tourism sector.