At least 33 people died and 35 were injured in a suspected arson attack at a famous animation studio in the Japanese city of Kyoto on Thursday, according to police. Police said the victims of the Kyoto Animation Co. building fire included 12 men, 20 women and another one whose gender was unknown.
A Kyoto police spokesperson said a 41-year-old man suspected of carrying out the attack also had a backpack containing several knives. The suspect poured what appeared to be gasoline around the studio and set it on fire.
According to a witness that spoke with the police, the suspect shouted "Die!" when pouring the liquid at the building's ground floor. The suspect is now in hospital with serious burn injuries and police do not expect to be able to question him on Thursday. The fire broke out at about 10:30 a.m. local time on Thursday in the company's 1st Studio building in Kyoto's Fushimi-ku district. Police said someone reported hearing a sound like an explosion coming from the studio.
About 48 fire engines have been sent to the area and are now trying to get the fire under control. Footage from the scene shows thick smoke coming out of the four-story building, which is located in a area several kilometers south of Kyoto Station, as firefighters worked to put out the fire. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that he was left speechless at the crime, and offered care to victims.
Founded in 1981, Kyoto Animation—known as KyoAni—produces animations and publishes anime novels, comics and books, according to its website. Among Japan's most well-known studios, its most famous works include Free!, manga series K-On!, the anime TV adaptation of Haruhi Suzumiya and Violet Evergarden. The company's aim as posted on its website includes keeping a bright culture and believes that “helping the growth of people is creating the brightness of works.”
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