Man sets himself alight on Japan bullet train, second passenger dies

Two passengers on a Japanese Shinkansen bullet train died after one doused himself in oil and set himself ablaze on Tuesday, media reports said. The train, carrying about 1,000 passengers, made an emergency stop on its way from Tokyo to the western city of Osaka after smoke started to fill at least one carriage, fire department officials said. A fire department official confirmed that one man was dead. Kyodo news agency, quoting a witness, identified him as the man who had covered himself with oil and set fire to himself. Officials have given no indication of the man’s motives but are treating the incident as a suicide.

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.

There was no immediate indication of any possible motive for the man’s actions. A female passenger also died, NHK public TV said, while at least one more was in serious condition and several others suffered less serious injuries, fire department officials said. Footage on TBS television showed a train carriage filled with smoke and passengers evacuating with handkerchiefs pressed to their faces. One clutched a baby to their chest. Japan’s superfast Shinkansen trains are known for their speed and safety.

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