Strong earthquakes that have hit the southern Japanese Island of Kyushu since Thursday have caused 47 deaths. Officials say as many as eight people may still be unaccounted for as the bodies had yet to be identified.

More than 200,000 people are living in evacuation centers, and about 110,000 people are scattered across 720 centers in Kumamoto alone. Japan has resorted to opening a prison as an evacuation center.

Meanwhile, Kumamoto airport reopened Tuesday, allowing the first flight carrying passengers and relief goods to land for the victims. The airport had been closed for four days.

A magnitude-6.5 quake rocked Kyushu Thursday and was followed by a more powerful magnitude-7.3 quake Saturday. More than 600 quakes and aftershocks have been recorded in the area since Thursday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.