Explosion rips through Tokyo building; four injured

July 03, 2023 / 9:45 PM

Firefighters work outside of a building where explosion and fire broke out in Shimbashi area of Tokyo

Sharjah 24 – Reuters: An explosion tore through a building in downtown Tokyo on Monday, scattering debris across a busy intersection and sending smoke into the air, but the fire was soon contained, Japanese media said.

Four people were injured, three seriously, but all were conscious, said public broadcaster NHK, which aired video images of flames through the windows of the shattered second floor of the building in the Shinbashi area of the Japanese capital.

The cause of the blast was not immediately clear but witnesses said they had smelled gas before the explosion.

The blast took place in an area near a railway station that is packed with bars and restaurants popular with office workers.