Tokyo building incident scatters debris and releases smoke into the air, causing disruption on Monday, July 3, 2023.
According to department officials, an incident occurred in Tokyo’s Shimbashi commercial district on Monday, involving an explosion at a building. The explosion caused windows to shatter and smoke to be emitted, resulting in injuries to four individuals.
In the bustling restaurant district, a fire erupted in a building at approximately 3:20 am local time (0620 UTC). The Shimbashi area, situated in the heart of central Tokyo, is renowned for its vibrant blend of business and entertainment activities.
Local media reported that, police swiftly responded to the scene following an emergency call.
Public broadcaster NHK aired video footage that depicted flames visible through the windows of the damaged second floor of a building. The incident took place in the Shimbashi area of the Japanese capital.
Although the cause of the blast remains unclear, witnesses reported having detected a gas odor before hearing the explosion.
The location of the explosion in Tokyo is in close proximity to a railway station and is densely populated with bars and restaurants that are frequented by office workers.
Tokyo Explosion: Officials and News
According to the Tokyo Fire Department, an explosion took place in Tokyo at an eatery located on the second floor of an eight-story building. The incident resulted in injuries to two individuals inside the eatery, as well as two pedestrians who were struck by fragments of glass.
Officials from the Tokyo Fire Department have reported that all four individuals who were injured in the incident were conscious, although further details about their condition remain unknown. According to NHK national television, three of the injured individuals are said to be in a serious condition.
According to NHK, a statement was provided to the police by the owner of the eatery, who was among the injured in Tokyo. The owner mentioned that upon entering a smoking room, he detected a smell resembling gas or sewage. It was during the act of flicking his lighter that the explosion took place.
Shinobu Nakagawa, a 26-year-old restaurant worker on the first floor of the Tokyo building, described the moment when the explosion occurred, stating, “I had just arrived at work and was beginning my preparations when a tremendously loud explosion occurred.”
Reacting swiftly, he instinctively grabbed his phone and hastily made his way outside in Tokyo. Recounting the aftermath, he observed, “Debris and fragments of glass were strewn all around, and as I glanced upward, I witnessed smoke billowing into the sky.”
According to a male eyewitness interviewed by public broadcaster NHK in Tokyo, the noise was overwhelming. He likened it to the sensation of a massive object being dropped from the top of the building, describing it as an incredible bang. Describing the scene further, he noticed pieces of paper scattered across the nearby intersection and quickly deduced from their arrangement that it was indeed an explosion.
