A chemical spray incident caused panic in the commercial district of Tokyo on Monday after 25 people were hospitalized in the Ginza area.
According to the Tokyo Fire Department, 26 people ranging in age from their 20s to 80s reported symptoms including sore throats and respiratory discomfort. Twenty-five of them were transported to hospitals, though all remained conscious.
Police sources said a man sprayed an unknown substance on a pillar near a bank ATM corner before fleeing the scene.
Investigators later confirmed that capsaicin — the chemical compound responsible for the heat in chili peppers — was detected on the pillar and surrounding areas. Capsaicin is commonly used in self-defense sprays.
The incident occurred around noon in a busy commercial zone located about 200 meters south of Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro network.
The area was crowded with shoppers and office workers at the time of the incident.
Tokyo Metropolitan Police are currently reviewing surveillance footage and searching for the suspect.
Photo: Investigators search the area near the incident scene in Ginza, Tokyo.
Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun