In the aftermath of a violent quake, a fatal blast strikes Kumamoto's Aeon Mall.
The magnitude‑6.8 earthquake that hit the region on 28 July killed 38 people nationwide, including seven inside Aeon Mall. In the hours following the quake, two employees from the Habita grocery chain—whose stores are scattered across several prefectures—were instructed by their manager to re‑enter the damaged mall to secure cash.
One of the workers, 22‑year‑old Kurumi Otake, was among the two who succumbed when a sudden blast tore through the building. The other victim's identity has not been released. The explosion occurred roughly an hour after the earthquake, at a time when most shoppers had fled.
Habita’s sales director, Goji Yuse, publicly apologized, stating, “The instructions given at the time were inappropriate, and I truly regret them.” He added at a wake that “looking back now, it was not worth a life.”
Family members of the deceased have described Otake as a compassionate, justice‑oriented individual who had supported her mother after her father's death. Her relative explained that if she had not returned to the mall, she would still be with her family today.
The incident raises urgent questions about workplace safety in disaster conditions, the responsibilities of employers, and how corporate decisions can cost lives. Habita is reviewing its protocols and considering new safety measures for future emergencies.
Image caption: Two store employees were killed after a blast tore through the earthquake‑hit Aeon Mall in Kumamoto.
