Lead

Two women who died in an explosion at a shopping mall in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture, following a powerful earthquake last week, had been instructed by their employer to return inside to secure cash, the company has admitted. Habita, which operates a variety store in the Aeon shopping centre, has apologised for the loss of life.

Coverage comparison

The incident was reported by Al Jazeera, the BBC, and the South China Morning Post, all of which confirmed the key details: two workers died, they were sent back into the building by their boss to secure cash, and the employer has apologised.

Al Jazeera's report was brief and factual, noting that Habita admitted to defying evacuation protocols and apologised to the victims' families. The BBC, in a more detailed account, quoted a Habita sales director expressing regret and confirming the company was considering how to proceed. The South China Morning Post provided the most emotional framing, quoting family members directly, including the mother of one victim who said, "[My daughter] isn't coming back," and a relative who described the victim's strong sense of responsibility.

The reports differ slightly on the magnitude of the earthquake: some sources cite it as 6.8, others as 7.1. The BBC also reported that the two workers were among 38 people who died in the earthquake, with seven fatalities from the Aeon Mall itself.

Key claims

  • Two female workers died in an explosion at an Aeon shopping centre in Kumamoto prefecture after being sent back inside by their employer to put sales proceeds in a safe. This was reported by multiple outlets and confirmed by the company, Habita.
  • Habita has apologised for the loss of "two precious lives." The BBC quoted sales director Goji Yuse as saying, "The instructions given at the time were inappropriate, and I truly regret them." Al Jazeera noted the apology to the victims' families for defying evacuation protocols.
  • One of the deceased workers was identified as 22-year-old Kurumi Otake. Her family told local media she had evacuated but re-entered the building after being asked to move money from the cash register into a safe. The BBC reported that two company representatives attended Otake's wake on Sunday and apologised to her family.
  • Reports on the magnitude of the earthquake vary. The BBC reported it as 6.8, while the South China Morning Post cited 7.1. No official confirmation was provided in the reports.
  • A male relative told reporters that Otake "had a strong sense of responsibility," while another relative described her as having a "strong sense of justice." The BBC also reported that Otake had supported her mother after her father died three years ago.
  • The BBC reported that Habita, founded in 1976, operates more than ten stores across several prefectures. The company is considering how to proceed with the matter, according to a representative quoted by NHK and reported by the BBC.

Perspectives

Habita (company): The company has admitted responsibility, apologised for the loss of life, and acknowledged that the instructions given to the workers were inappropriate. A sales director expressed regret and said the company was considering how to proceed.

Otake family: Family members have expressed grief and described Otake as a responsible and just person. Her mother was quoted as saying, "My daughter is not coming back." The family attended a wake where Habita representatives apologised in person.