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Man Flees After Spray at Ginza Six Mall Sends More Than 20 to Hospital

Officials say the episode appears to be a deliberate irritant attack and police are reviewing CCTV and forensic traces while hunting for the suspect.

Overview

  • A man allegedly sprayed an unknown substance at an ATM on the ground floor of the Ginza Six shopping complex, prompting calls to emergency services and a large response.
  • Emergency crews in hazmat suits sealed roads, lined the street with fire trucks and treated more than 20 people for throat pain and coughing, with most patients reported in generally mild condition.
  • CCTV footage reported by domestic media appears to show the man spraying the substance and then fleeing, and eyewitnesses gave a basic description of his clothing to investigators.
  • The Yomiuri newspaper and other outlets reported traces consistent with pepper spray at the scene but official forensic confirmation of the substance remains pending.
  • The incident, which revived public memories of the 1995 sarin subway attacks, has added to concern after similar spray episodes this month and could keep public spaces under heightened police and medical precaution.