Two deaths reported after fire on Japan bullet train
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Two people have reportedly died after an apparent suicide bid started a fire aboard a bullet train in Japan.
According to a Japan rail spokesperson a man had poured flammable liquid over himself, before setting himself alight in a toilet in the front carriage. Kyodo news agency, quoting an eyewitness, identified one man dead as being the man who behind the self-immolation. A woman was found nearby lying immobile having suffered heart failure., according to local media.
There has been no immediate indication for the motive of the man’s actions.
The train, carrying around 1,000 passengers made an emergency stop on its way from Tokyo to Osaka when smoke began to fill a carriage.
BREAKING: Reports: 2 dead, 2 severely injured after self-immolation on #Japan bullet train http://t.co/QIR5jCyHoZpic.twitter.com/0BfNePsXfp
— Asian Correspondent (@AsCorrespondent) June 30, 2015#Japan PM Abe sets up task force to respond to bullet train blast/fire. 2 deaths, unknown number injured. #VOAalertpic.twitter.com/MtWDe4yElQ
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) June 30, 2015At least 22 others were injured according to Japanese broadcaster NHK.
The remaining passengers were kept aboard the train before being dropped off at nearby Odawara Station.
The Japan Rail website states the bullet train has had no accidents resulting in passenger deaths since operations began in 1964.