Aeon Mall Employee Died After Returning to Store on Company Orders During Kumamoto Earthquake

A 22-year-old employee of Aeon Mall in Kumamoto, Japan, died after she was instructed to return to the store following an earthquake evacuation, according to Japanese media reports.

Kurumi Ootake had initially evacuated the store when the earthquake struck but returned to secure cash after being told to do so by the company. Her family stated that she met her aunt and cousin outside the store after evacuating but insisted on going back in with a colleague, despite their objections.

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She evacuated once when the earthquake occurred, but returned to the store due to company instructions and died. It is so regrettable.

Ootake had been working at the Aeon Mall variety store for four years and had only recently transferred to the Kumamoto location. She was reportedly the primary breadwinner for her family after her father's death.

Her family expressed deep sorrow over the incident, and criticism is expected to grow regarding the company's directives that may have led to her death.

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The company told me to put the cash in the safe. I have to go back to the store.