Explosion in Japanese apartment building injures around 20

An explosion struck a three-storey residential building in Ichikawa, near Tokyo, injuring around 20 people, broadcaster NTV News reported.

Emergency services received the first alert at approximately 6:30 a.m. local time on August 1. Preliminary information indicates that the blast originated on the first floor of the building.

The explosion shattered windows in neighbouring homes, though no fire was reported, according to initial assessments.

Two people were taken to hospital, one with burns and another with minor injuries. The condition of the remaining injured was not immediately clear.

Police and rescue teams were deployed to the scene, where authorities are continuing to assess the situation. Specialists are investigating the possibility that the explosion was caused by a gas leak.

By Tamilla Hasanova