The operator of a retail store inside Aeon Mall Kumamoto has apologised after revealing that two employees who later died in the mall explosion had returned to the shop after being instructed to place the day’s cash takings back into a safe.
The tragic revelation comes in the aftermath of the devastating explosion that struck the shopping mall following the recent Kumamoto earthquake.
Employees Returned To Store Before Blast
The company operating the lifestyle goods store, Habita, confirmed that two of its employees lost their lives in the explosion.
According to company president Kagemasa Ueno, one employee had been instructed to return to the shop to place the day’s sales proceeds into the store’s safe.
The second employee accompanied them back into the premises.
Moments later, the explosion occurred, trapping both workers inside.
One of the victims was identified as 22-year-old Kurumi Otake from Kumamoto City.
Company Apologises To Family
Company executives attended Kurumi Otake’s wake on 2 August, where they apologised directly to her family and handed over a written explanation detailing the sequence of events.
Speaking through tears, Kurumi’s mother told company representatives:
“My daughter isn’t coming back.”
Habita president Kagemasa Ueno expressed deep remorse over the tragedy.
“This is an unbearable regret. I am truly sorry to the bereaved family.”
Explosion Under Investigation
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the explosion, which occurred after the powerful Kumamoto earthquake.
The blast resulted in multiple fatalities and extensive damage inside Aeon Mall Kumamoto, with investigators examining why several people had re-entered the building shortly before the explosion.
The tragedy has sparked widespread discussion in Japan about emergency evacuation procedures and whether employees should ever be instructed to return to damaged buildings following a major disaster.