Death toll from Kumamoto earthquake in Japan rises to 38

38 people have died in Japan's quake-stricken Kumamoto to date, including 7 staffers of Aeon mall in the town of Kashima. The mall was one of the hardest-hit sites after an explosion caused the walls and the second floor to collapse.

Authorities concluded a dayslong search-and-rescue operation Saturday.

NHK reported a 22-year-old female employee of a variety-goods store initially fled the mall after the earthquake but returned with her colleague as she received instructions from the company to put revenue into a safe.

A massive blast likely triggered by gas leak occurred five minutes later.

The bodies of the girl and her colleague were found and identified through DNA testing.

The victims' families are seeking the truth about their deaths.

Aeon says it has launched a probe into the cause of the explosion.