2 Japan quake victims ordered back into Aeon Mall store to secure cash
Two women who died in an explosion at an Aeon shopping centre following a powerful earthquake in Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture last week were instructed by their employer to return inside to put sales proceeds in a safe, according to the company. Two executives of Habita, which operates the variety store where the women died, said on Sunday they apologised to the family of one of the victims,…
Two women, Kurumi Otake and another unidentified individual, perished in an explosion at Aeon Mall in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake. Both women were reportedly instructed by their employer, Habita, to return to the store to secure sales proceeds in a safe. Otake, a 22-year-old employee, had initially evacuated but was later seen re-entering the building.
Her mother expressed her grief at her wake, stating her daughter "isn’t coming back." Otake's relative noted her strong sense of responsibility, recalling their laughter at a family gathering three months prior. Habita's sales manager later called their decision to return "not worth a life." Seven people lost their lives in the blast on Tuesday, with 36 confirmed dead and two others under investigation.
Over 4,600 buildings were damaged, and more than 8,000 individuals sought shelter in evacuation centers. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited the prefecture to evaluate the damage and the living conditions of evacuees. However, her trip has sparked criticism on social media, with some questioning its relevance amid the ongoing confusion and increased security costs. The Prime Minister's visit also comes amid a decline in support for her cabinet.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
