Two employees died after an explosion at an Aeon Mall in Japan following a magnitude 6.8 earthquake on July 28. The victims had initially evacuated the building, but they returned after their employer, the goods store Habita, instructed them to secure cash from the registers.
Habita sales director Goji Yuse issued a formal apology, acknowledging that the decision to send staff back into the damaged structure was a mistake. One of the victims has been identified as 22-year-old Kurumi Otake, whose family confirmed that she re-entered the mall specifically to follow the company order to lock away money. The identity of the second victim remains undisclosed by local authorities.
This incident is part of a larger tragedy in Kumamoto prefecture, where the earthquake resulted in 38 confirmed deaths. Seven of those fatalities occurred at the Aeon Mall site. While most shoppers and staff successfully fled the premises when the tremor first struck, these employees were back inside approximately one hour later when the blast occurred.
Legal and professional scrutiny now follows the company's directive. Public reaction in Japan has focused on the standard of safety protocols required during natural disasters and the accountability of employers when internal policies override personal safety. The company is currently evaluating its next steps in light of the loss of life.