A fatal gas explosion severely damaged Aeon Mall Kumamoto shortly after Tuesday’s powerful earthquake struck Japan. According to experts, leaking gas likely filled an enclosed space before somehow igniting suddenly. Aeon Co. President Akio Yoshida confirmed three employees died following the devastating blast.
The earthquake hit around 4:27 p.m., prompting staff to evacuate roughly 3,000 customers immediately afterward. Workers completed the evacuation by 5 p.m., then sought shelter outside the sprawling facility. However, the gas explosion occurred at approximately 5:50 p.m., destroying much of the second floor.
Investigators from Kumamoto prefectural police detected a gas smell while searching the damaged building afterward. A senior police official suggested that leaked gas likely ignited, triggering the powerful explosion. According to Aeon, liquified petroleum gas powers cooking equipment and air conditioning throughout the mall.
Furthermore, gas travels from a large storage tank through underground pipes into the building’s walls. Professor Kazunori Kuwana explained that strong shaking likely ruptured pipes, releasing gas into open areas. He noted that shopping malls contain large open spaces where gas can accumulate dangerously.
Even a minor spark, Kuwana added, could trigger a gas explosion of this scale. Japanese law requires automatic shutoff devices that activate during significant seismic activity nationwide. Yoshida stated the mall’s gas pipes met earthquake-resistance standards and underwent regular inspections previously.
Notably, no gas leaks had occurred since the mall opened back in 2005. Even two major earthquakes in 2016 reportedly left the pipe system undamaged then. Nevertheless, Aeon now plans urgent nationwide inspections of gas equipment following this incident.
Professor Ritsu Dobashi suggested automatic safety devices may have failed to function properly. Since damage concentrated near the south side, he believes leaks likely originated there specifically. Therefore, investigators must determine why safety mechanisms didn’t prevent this catastrophic gas explosion from occurring.
