Tokyo Explosion Injures 10, Damages 40 Buildings
A powerful blast rocked a construction site in Tokyo, Japan, injuring at least 10 people and damaging nearly 40 buildings. The explosion occurred in the Edogawa district, near the Kasi station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai line.
- 10 people were injured, mostly construction workers and local residents
- 38 buildings, including homes and shops, were damaged by the blast and subsequent fire
- A truck on the construction site was destroyed by the fire
The blast was so powerful that it shattered windows and damaged walls of a nearby convenience store. The fire that followed engulfed a truck on the construction site, causing significant damage. Local residents were evacuated from the area as a precaution and were allowed to return to their homes later that day.
According to the Tokyo Fire Department, the explosion occurred at around 9:00 a.m. local time, and it took over 30 fire trucks and four hours to bring the fire under control. An investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, but officials believe that an acetylene tank buried underground may have been the source of the blast.
The tank, which was not marked on any plans or reports, was likely damaged during the construction process, causing the gas to leak and ignite. The incident has raised concerns about the safety protocols in place at construction sites in the heart of Tokyo. Authorities are working to determine how the tank ended up buried underground and who was responsible for it.
The incident has been reported by NHK, Japan’s national broadcasting organization.