PM Fumio Kishida pictured moments before the blast at his outdoor speech event at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan (Image: Reuters)
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida evacuated after an explosion during a speech in Wakayama, but is safe. A person was apprehended in connection with the blast
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated after an explosion occurred during his speech in the city of Wakayama on Saturday.
According to Japanese media, a person was apprehended in connection with the incident, and the Prime Minister was reported to be safe.
A video of the incident was shared on Twitter by news outlet BNONews where first media persons and other people gathered in Wakayama are seen fleeing following a loud blast.
The 19-second footage shows media persons and other people scampering away from the spot where Kishida may have standing and as the camera pans, a small cloud of smoke can be seen.
According to a report by Japan Times, an apparent smoke or pipe bomb was thrown at Kishida while he was speaking to a candidate of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
He was there to campaign and express support for the candidate for a by-election planned for later this month
The Japan Times also confirmed that Kishida left the scene unhurt.
The incident will likely reignite memories of assassination of Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was killed by an attacker in similar circumstances in July last year.
Abe was attending a political campaign event when 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, shot Abe with a homemade gun, because he held a grudge against a religious group, with which Abe had connections.
(this is a developing story, more details are being added)
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