Bullet train horror at 300kmh as ‘suicide fire’ kills two passengers

Two people are dead and many others injured after a reported suicide attempt on a bullet train in Japan on Tuesday. At least nine other passengers had to be treated for smoke inhalation after the man doused himself in flammable liquid and lit a cigarette lighter as the train sped through the Japanese countryside at up to 300km per hour. The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said the blast was heard from a toilet at the front of the train and the first carriage filled with smoke, prompting a passenger to press the emergency stop button.

We received information indicating that a fire broke out near a toilet and two people were in cardiopulmonary arrest. Other passengers were also injured.

A spokesman for Odawara Fire Department said.

NHK reported the two dead were found on the floor of the front car, but at opposite ends of the carriage, adding that they were a man, 71, and a woman. One man is in a serious condition in hospital, three others are badly hurt and around 20 were treated for smoke inhalation. It is not known what the motive was for the fire.

Asia-Pacific Japan bullet train