At least 19 people taken to hospital after 'strong smell' reported at Tokyo mall
At least 19 people were rushed to hospital in Tokyo’s Ginza after reports of a strong smell, with police investigating an ATM-spray incident. - (25 May, BBC; 25 May, CBSNews; 25 May, Guardian) Police say a man sprayed a substance at an ATM inside the Ginza 6 mall. - (25 May, BBC; 25 May, The Hindu; 25 May, CBSNews) Authorities believe it may have been an irritant spray likely containing *capsaicin*; NHK reported light injuries. - (25 May, BBC; 25 May, Indian Express; 25 May, Guardian) Witnesses described painful, itchy throats and numbness as emergency crews in hazmat suits evacuated people. - (25 May, BBC; 25 May, Guardian) The incident is being investigated as violence in Japan is uncommon, reviving fears in light of past attacks. > How it looks like: a suspected irritant spray triggered mass panic at a high-end mall, with investigators still searching for the source and substance.
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