Two female workers died in an explosion at an Aeon shopping centre in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture after their employer ordered them back inside to secure cash following a powerful earthquake. The women had evacuated from the mall, but were instructed by Habita, the company that operates a variety store there, to return and place sales proceeds in a safe. The blast killed them. Habita executives apologised to the family of one victim, 22-year-old Kurumi Otake, at her wake on Sunday and handed over a written account of events, the company said. The apology came after the employer sent the women back into the quake-hit mall.