Tokyo Ginza Six Shopping Centre Incident Sees 19 Hospitalised After Man Sprays Irritant

Nineteen people required hospital treatment after an individual discharged an irritant spray within the Ginza Six shopping centre in Tokyo. The incident occurred on Monday, prompting a significant emergency response that included police, fire services, and ambulance crews.

Details of the Incident

A male suspect reportedly sprayed a substance at a cash machine situated on the ground floor of the luxury shopping complex. Authorities have identified the substance as likely containing capsaicin, a compound commonly found in chilli peppers and used in irritant sprays.

Eyewitnesses described experiencing throat irritation and a stinging sensation as they approached the ATM area. One 70-year-old woman recounted her throat becoming "scratchy, almost numb" after entering the vicinity of the spray.

Emergency personnel, some clad in hazmat suits, were observed evacuating individuals from the centre. The area immediately surrounding the building was cordoned off, with emergency workers erecting screens around part of the mall. A police search for the suspect remains ongoing.