2 explosions hit Japanese city, killing 1; suicide suspected

[webfact]

2 explosions hit Japanese city, killing 1; suicide suspected 

 

TOKYO (AP) — Two apparent explosions hit the Japanese city of Utsunomiya back-to-back Sunday, killing one person and injuring three others in what police are viewing as a possible suicide.

 

Japanese media reports suggest that the victim, believed to be a 72-year-old former military officer, may have set his house on fire, blown up his car in a public parking lot and then blown himself up in a nearby park.

 

A note found in the clothing of the badly burned victim included the name of the former officer, Japanese broadcaster NHK and other media reported. The name was not disclosed. One of the cars destroyed in a fiery blaze in the parking lot belonged to the retired military man, and his house burned to the ground earlier on Sunday, the reports said.

 

The back-to-back loud bangs in the park and parking lot shocked bystanders, many heading to a festival at the park on a sunny autumn day. The apparent blasts occurred around 11:30 a.m. within about 200 meters (yards) of each other. The festival was canceled after the incidents.

 

Two men were seriously injured in the park explosion, and a 14-year-old boy had minor leg injuries. No one was hurt at the small parking lot.

 

Kyodo News agency said the burned body was found after police received a call saying a person was on fire following what sounded like an explosion.

 

Bystanders also reported hearing loud blasts from the parking lot. Flames and black smoke shot into the air and repeated bangs could be heard on video posted on the Asahi newspaper's website. Nearby cars also were damaged.

 

Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi prefecture, is a city of some 500,000 people about 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Tokyo. It is near the popular tourist destination of Nikko.

 

-- © Associated Press 2016-10-24

[NongKhaiKid]

If someone wants to take his or her own life so be it but why do some feel it necessary to do it in a way which affects totally innocent people ?

[jollyhangmon]

7 hours ago, NongKhaiKid said:

If someone wants to take his or her own life so be it but why do some feel it necessary to do it in a way which affects totally innocent people ?

 

... exactly!

I mean there are socks available in abundance there after all, pretty long ones even as i recall ... 

[KKr]

 

On 10/24/2016 at 9:23 AM, NongKhaiKid said:

If someone wants to take his or her own life so be it but why do some feel it necessary to do it in a way which affects totally innocent people ?

seppuku takes courage and does not get worldwide press coverage.

 

Edited October 25, 2016 by KKr

[khundon]

It would on YouTube.