One dead and three hurt in blast as ex-soldier ‘kills himself’ in Japanese park

A 72-year-old ex-soldier died after he blew himself up in a Japanese park in an apparent suicide, the country’s state broadcaster reported. Three other people were injured in the explosion which took place soon after another blast in a car park 200 metres away. In that blast around 11.30am local time, one vehicle exploded and two others were also badly damaged in the city of Utsunomiya, 60 miles north of Tokyo.

One person was found dead.

Fire department spokesperson

The man who died was a former member of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces who was believed to be the owner of one of the cars. His body was found at a bicycle parking area inside the park, it is believed. His home five miles away had burned down earlier in the day, according to reports. Police said they discovered a suicide note written by him which was apparently found in one of the cars, and were investigating the three incidents.

Asia-Pacific