Kumamoto: Two employees of variety store operator Habita Inc. lost their lives in an explosion at Aeon Mall Kumamoto after being instructed to return to the earthquake-damaged facility by their company. The tragic incident was confirmed by the company on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the workers had initially evacuated the mall in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, following a powerful earthquake that struck on Tuesday, registering the highest level of 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale. Despite the evacuation, an explosion occurred at the mall at approximately 5:50 p.m., claiming the lives of several individuals, including the two employees.

The employees had initially guided customers to safety and evacuated to a parking lot outside the facility. When they re-entered the building around 5:35 p.m., an Aeon Mall employee reportedly warned them to "be careful" as they approached the entrance.

Koji Yuse, the sales manager of Kumamoto-based Habita, addressed reporters on Monday afternoon, revealing that he had directed one of the employees, via the store manager, to return to the building to transfer the day's sales proceeds from the second floor to a safe on the first floor. Yuse also stated that he instructed the employees to obtain permission from the mall operator before re-entering the premises.

At a wake held for Kurumi Otake, 22, one of the victims, her grieving family expressed their anger and said they would "never forgive" the company. President Keima Ueno of Habita attended the wake and was confronted by the bereaved family, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Expressing his regret, Yuse stated, "If I had not brought up the issue of the sales proceeds, this would never have happened. I regret not anticipating the consequences."

A woman in her 20s, who had shared a junior high school volleyball team with Otake, attended her funeral in Kumamoto on Monday. She paid her respects and expressed gratitude, recalling Otake as "cheerful and a very reliable team captain," as she spoke to reporters after the service.