Two workers died in an explosion at Aeon Mall in Kumamoto, Japan, on July 28, 2026, after re-entering the building following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, according to BBC, with the South China Morning Post reporting 7.1 magnitude [1, 2]. The two employees had been ordered by their employer, the general goods store Habita, to return inside the mall to secure cash [1, 3].
One of the deceased workers was 22-year-old Kurumi Otake, whose family described her as having a "strong sense of responsibility". Otake’s mother said, "My daughter is not coming back," while a male relative added that Kurumi possessed a strong sense of justice [1, 2]. The identity of the second worker has not been disclosed.
Most occupants evacuated the mall shortly after the earthquake, but some employees remained inside when the explosion occurred about an hour later [1]. Habita, founded in 1976 and operating more than ten stores across several prefectures, faced public scrutiny following the incident [1].
Habita’s sales director, Goji Yuse, expressed regret for instructing the workers to re-enter the damaged building, saying, "Looking back now, it was not worth a life" [1]. Executives from Habita apologized to Otake’s family at her wake in early August 2026 and provided a written account of the events leading to the tragedy [1, 2].
The earthquake caused a total of 38 deaths in Kumamoto prefecture, including seven at Aeon Mall [1]. The precise magnitude remains disputed, with official reports varying between 6.8 and 7.1. [1, 2]
Emergency services and investigators continue to examine the events surrounding the explosion as authorities review safety protocols for post-earthquake responses. Further inquiries are expected to clarify the full circumstances and accountability related to the order to re-enter the damaged mall.
