Gas Leak Suspected at Japan Aeon Mall Blast; 3 Dead, 3 Missing

By Megumi Fujikawa

Aeon executives confirmed that three people have died, one remains in cardiac arrest, and three others are still unaccounted for following a blast at an Aeon mall in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture roughly 90 minutes after a powerful earthquake.

The blast tore through the complex in Kashima Town after the 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the region Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference in Kumamoto on Wednesday afternoon, Aeon's executives addressed the lethal blast, which happened roughly 50 minutes after initial evacuations were completed.

The company's president, Akio Yoshida, said a gas leak likely triggered the explosion, which led to a structural collapse, though official confirmation is still pending.

"It hasn't been confirmed as a gas explosion, but it is highly likely," Yoshida said.

He said the explosion was "not anticipated," adding that it was the first time a piped gas explosion has occurred at an Aeon facility in Japan.

He emphasized that all Aeon malls use piped gas and equipment that meet new earthquake durability standards.

"We are sharing all available information with fire officials and will fully cooperate to determine the cause as swiftly as possible," he said.

Emergency crews and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel remained on site Wednesday, clearing heavy debris and navigating structural instability to locate the missing, according to television footage and government officials.

Write to Megumi Fujikawa at megumi.fujikawa@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 29, 2026 05:51 ET (09:51 GMT)