Chemical Scare at Luxury Tokyo Mall Leaves 19 in Hospital
At least 19 individuals have required medical treatment following a chemical scare at a high-end retail complex in the Japanese capital. The incident unfolded on Monday inside the Ginza Six shopping centre when a male suspect discharged a noxious substance near a ground-floor cash machine.
According to national broadcaster NHK, the perpetrator fled the area immediately after the attack and local police have launched an active manhunt to locate him.
The suspected substance and symptoms
Authorities believe the aerosol used in the attack was an irritant spray containing capsaicin, the active chemical compound that gives chilli peppers their intense heat.
Shoppers in the immediate vicinity experienced sudden and acute respiratory discomfort. Eyewitnesses reported feeling intense itching and pain in their throats. A 70-year-old woman told AFP that her throat began stinging as she walked towards the cashpoint.
«By the time I arrived, the commotion had already started, and I thought there might have been a small fire or something,» she explained. «Once I went into the ATM corner, my throat felt scratchy, almost numb.»
Emergency response
The alarming incident triggered a massive and immediate response from local authorities, resulting in dramatic scenes outside the luxury mall. Key developments from the rescue operation included:
- Mass deployment: A large contingent of police officers, firefighters and paramedics rushed to the scene to treat the victims.
- Hazmat evacuation: Emergency personnel dressed in full hazardous materials suits were dispatched to safely escort patrons and staff out of the contaminated building.
- Scene containment: First responders established strict police cordons, erected tarpaulins to shield the affected area from public view and completely blocked off the main road in front of the complex.
Investigations into the motive behind the attack and the exact nature of the chemical agent are currently ongoing.
