19 hospitalized after irritant spray incident at Tokyo shopping complex
Quick Look
- At least 19 people were hospitalized after a man sprayed an irritant substance, likely containing capsaicin, at an ATM in Tokyo's Ginza 6 shopping complex.
- The suspect is still at large.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
A man sprayed an irritant substance, believed to be capsaicin, at an ATM in a Tokyo shopping complex, leading to multiple hospitalizations. The suspect remains at large.
At least 19 people have been taken to hospital after a strong smell was reported at a shopping complex in Tokyo, according to media reports.
A police spokesperson said a man had sprayed a substance at an ATM on the ground floor of the building in the luxury Ginza 6 shopping centre on Monday.
The substance is believed to have been an irritant spray, identified by authorities as likely containing capsaicin - which is found in chilli peppers.
Police are still looking for the suspect, national broadcaster NHK reported.
People near the scene reported feeling their throat become painful and itchy, with one 70-year-old woman telling AFP that it started "stinging and hurting" as she approached the ATM.
"By the time I arrived, the commotion had already started, and I thought there might have been a small fire or something," she said.
"Once I went into the ATM corner, my throat felt scratchy, almost numb."
A large emergency response was present at the scene, including police officers, firefighters and ambulance workers.
The road in front of the centre was blocked off following the incident.
Officials dressed in hazmat suits were seen bringing people out of the shopping centre.
Open Questions
- What was the exact motive for the attack?
- What is the current condition of the hospitalized individuals?
- What specific measures are being taken to apprehend the suspect?
- Has this type of incident occurred before in Japan?
