19 fall ill in Tokyo mall spray scare

International

AT LEAST 19 people were hospitalized after a strong smell caused panic inside a shopping complex in Tokyo, prompting a massive emergency response involving more than 50 emergency vehicles.

The incident happened around noon on Monday at the luxury Ginza 6 shopping center in Tokyo’s Chuo ward after authorities received reports of an irritating odor and people coughing inside the building, a report by BBC said.

According to police, a man allegedly sprayed a substance near an ATM on the mall’s ground floor before fleeing the scene.

Authorities believe the substance was an irritant spray containing capsaicin, a compound commonly found in chili peppers.

Out of the 26 people affected, 19 were hospitalized after experiencing symptoms such as headaches, throat pain, and irritation, according to local media reports.

Officials said all victims were conscious and none suffered life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses near the scene described feeling sudden pain and itchiness in their throats.

One 70-year-old woman told AFP that her throat began “stinging and hurting” as she approached the ATM area.

“By the time I arrived, the commotion had already started, and I thought there might have been a small fire,” she said.

“Once I went into the ATM corner, my throat felt scratchy, almost numb.”

Security footage reportedly showed the suspect spraying the substance before leaving the mall.

Local media said the man was believed to have fled toward the Shimbashi area.

Police, firefighters, and ambulance crews quickly responded to the incident, while roads near the shopping center were temporarily closed off.

Authorities wearing hazmat suits were also seen escorting people out of the building as emergency operations continued.(Erica Casquejo - CNU Main Campus, Comm Intern)