Kumamoto AEON MALL confirms 3 dead, 4 missing; President to hold press conference

An explosion at the AEON MALL in Kumamoto, Japan, has resulted in three confirmed fatalities and four individuals still missing following a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck the region on May 28. The blast is believed to have been caused by a gas leak at the large shopping center located in Kashima Town. Aeon, the company operating the mall, confirmed the casualty figures on May 29 after completing personnel checks. The company stated that its priority after the earthquake was the safe evacuation of customers, followed by the evacuation of approximately 2,700 Aeon employees and staff from the 204 shops within the mall. Aeon has expressed its apologies to the families of the deceased and the injured, and pledged full cooperation with rescue efforts by police, firefighters, and government authorities. Aeon President Akio Yoshida is scheduled to hold a press conference later today to provide further details and outline the company's response measures.