An explosion tore through a building in downtown Tokyo on Monday, scattering debris across a busy intersection and sending smoke into the air, but the fire was soon contained and only four people suffered minor injuries, Japanese media reported.
Video footage aired by public broadcaster NHK showed flames through the windows of the shattered second floor of the building, located in the Shinbashi area of the Japanese capital.
The cause of the blast was not immediately clear but witnesses said they had smelled gas prior to hearing the explosion.
"I'd just got to work and was starting preparations when there was a really loud explosion," said Shinobu Nakagawa, a 26-year-old restaurant worker, who works on the first floor of the building. He said he grabbed his phone and rushed outside.
"Furniture and shards of glass were scattered everywhere, and when I looked up, smoke was surging upwards."
The area where the explosion occurred is near a railway station and packed with bars and restaurants popular with office workers.
Qatar busts two cells linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
Jordanian airspace reopens after 'comprehensive review'
Iran vows to attack any ship trying to pass through Strait of Hormuz
Drones target fuel tanks at Oman’s Duqm Port
At least 42 civilians killed in Afghanistan in conflict with Pakistan, UN agency says
