Full Breakdown
Tragedy at Aeon Mall Kumamoto After Earthquake
8/4/2026, 12:16:25 PM
Earthquake and Subsequent Explosion
On July 28, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture, killing 38 people, including seven inside Aeon Mall Kumamoto. About an hour after the tremor, an explosion ripped through the mall while a number of employees remained inside. Two workers from the Habita-operated variety store were killed in the blast.
Victims and Circumstances
One of the deceased was 22-year-old Kurumi Otake. According to her family, Otake evacuated the mall after the quake but returned when her employer instructed her to move cash from the register into a safe. A relative said she felt a strong sense of responsibility and complied with the request. The identity of the second worker has not been disclosed.
Company Response and Apologies
Habita, founded in 1976 and operating more than ten stores across several prefectures, issued a public apology for the loss of “two precious lives.” Executives attended Otake’s wake, expressed regret, and handed the family a written account of events. Sales director Goji Yuse said the instructions given at the time were inappropriate and that “looking back now, it was not worth a life.” The company indicated it was reviewing internal procedures following the incident.
Data on Fatalities
- Earthquake magnitude: 6.8
- Total deaths in Kumamoto: 38
- Deaths at Aeon Mall: 7 (including the two Habita employees)
Verbatim Quote
- “Looking back now, it was not worth a life.” — Goji Yuse, Habita sales director
