Kumamoto - Authorities ended the five-day search and rescue operation at Aeon Mall Kumamoto on August 1 after confirming that all people reported missing had been accounted for, leaving seven dead and five others injured in an explosion that devastated the shopping complex shortly after the powerful Kumamoto earthquake. With all missing people located, Kumamoto Prefecture announced the end of rescue activities at the mall on August 1. Aeon said it had completed safety checks on approximately 2,700 mall employees. The three specialty-store employees whose whereabouts had remained unknown were among the seven people confirmed dead. However, some employees either remained inside or returned to the building before the explosion, according to Aeon.