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Japan explosion: Dozens injured in Sapporo restaurant blast | Japan explosion: Dozens injured in Sapporo restaurant blast |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A huge explosion and fire has hit a restaurant in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo. | A huge explosion and fire has hit a restaurant in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo. |
Japanese police say 42 people were injured in the explosion, with one of them in a serious condition. | Japanese police say 42 people were injured in the explosion, with one of them in a serious condition. |
The cause of the explosion in the Toyohira district is not yet known. Some reports suggested a gas blast. | The cause of the explosion in the Toyohira district is not yet known. Some reports suggested a gas blast. |
Images on social media initially showed flames rising from the area with debris all around, and later firefighters tackling collapsed buildings. | Images on social media initially showed flames rising from the area with debris all around, and later firefighters tackling collapsed buildings. |
Police sealed off the area amid fears of more explosions. | Police sealed off the area amid fears of more explosions. |
More than 20 fire engines were reportedly deployed. | More than 20 fire engines were reportedly deployed. |
The emergency services were first alerted to the explosion at about 20:30 on Sunday (11:30 GMT). | The emergency services were first alerted to the explosion at about 20:30 on Sunday (11:30 GMT). |
Japanese broadcaster NHK said the area affected had both residential and dining establishments and was about 3km south-east of the city centre. | Japanese broadcaster NHK said the area affected had both residential and dining establishments and was about 3km south-east of the city centre. |
The Japan Times quoted one eyewitness as saying the explosion sounded like thunder. | |
Another eyewitness told NHK that the blast had broken the windows of the restaurant he was working in, and that there were "many injured people". | Another eyewitness told NHK that the blast had broken the windows of the restaurant he was working in, and that there were "many injured people". |
Officials warned that the number of injured could rise. | Officials warned that the number of injured could rise. |