More than 20 people were injured at the luxury Ginza Six shopping complex in central Tokyo on Monday after a man reportedly sprayed a substance inside the building. According to a Tokyo police spokesperson, the substance was sprayed at the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation branch on the first floor. At around noon, a call was placed to emergency services reporting a “pungent odor” inside the building.
Roads Near Ginza Six Blocked Off After Spray Incident
More than 50 fire department vehicles, including fire engines, were subsequently dispatched to the mall. Roads around the building were blocked off following the incident. People from the mall were brought into specialized trucks to be examined by firefighters and officials dressed in hazmat suits. According to NHK, the injuries appeared to be light, though 19 people have been taken to hospital.
“By the time I arrived, the commotion had already started, and I thought there might have been a small fire or something. Once I went into the ATM corner, my throat felt scratchy, almost numb,” a 70-year-old woman told the public broadcaster. Security camera footage suggests the suspect was wearing a white mask, dark jacket and white pants. He reportedly sprayed something resembling tear gas before fleeing the scene.
An out of service train on the jr tokkaido line
Suspicious Substance on the Tokaido Line
The incident comes just two weeks after a similar case on the Tokaido train line, where passengers also reported falling ill following a suspected spray attack. More than 20 emergency response vehicles were dispatched to Kawasaki Station, where the train was halted. A woman, her husband and their 1-year-old daughter were taken to hospital, though none suffered serious injuries.
Another 10 passengers complained of feeling unwell. Police arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of spraying a substance that caused a strong odor. Following analysis of security camera footage, he was detained and later admitted to interfering with train operations. Police searched his home but found no spray cans.
