A fire in a building in the Japanese metropolis of Osaka is believed to have killed 27 people on Friday. This was reported by public broadcaster NHK. Police are investigating whether the fire was started.
The fire, for reasons unknown, broke out on the fourth floor of the building, which is near Osaka station. The fire brigade and ambulances were deployed on a large scale, and the fire was extinguished after about 30 minutes.
According to NHK, 27 people were diagnosed with “cardiac and respiratory arrest”. This expression is used in Japan when people are believed to have died, but their death has not yet been formally established.
Police are investigating whether the fire was arson. An unidentified man is suspected of starting the fire.