Two people were previously injured by gunfire at a nearby hospital. It remains unclear whether the events are related.
A man took hostages at a post office in Japan. The perpetrator, who was apparently armed with a rifle, barricaded himself in the building with several hostages, the municipality of Warabi, near Tokyo, said on Tuesday. Two people were previously injured in an alleged shooting at a nearby hospital. It was initially unclear whether there was a connection between the two incidents.
Police asked residents to leave the area around the post office. Police with protective shields surrounded the building and ambulances were on standby. Television footage showed the kidnapper at the post office, apparently carrying a rifle attached to a strap around his neck.
Report: Telephone contact with kidnapper
Television station NTV reported that police maintained telephone contact with the kidnapper. There were at least two women in the building. The daily newspaper “Yomiuri” published rumors that the kidnapper was transporting kerosene.
Before the hostage taking, two people were injured at a hospital in the nearby city of Toda after shots were apparently fired at the hospital from the street. A suspect reportedly fled on a motorcycle. (APA)