Tourism is big business in Kyoto, Japan. Today this usually quiet and safe town was the scene of death and fire when in an apparent arson terror attack a man set fire to an animation film studio on Thursday morning.
Media confirmed twelve dead and this number may be rising.
Many bodies were found on the second floor of the three-story studio of Kyoto Animation Co., where about 70 people were believed to have been working when the fire broke out at around 10:35 a.m. Police said some people witnessed the attacker as screaming “Die” as he set fire. They also found knives at the scene. The 41-year-old man, who was among the injured and has been taken to hospital, has admitted to starting the fire, according to the police.
The studios are open for visitors during daytime.
Kyoto Animation has produced popular TV animation series including “K-On!” The company, also known as KyoAni in Japanese, has produced popular TV animation series “K-On!” “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu), which depict the daily lives of high school girls, “A Silent Voice,” “Clannad” and “Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon” (“Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid”).
People near the studio said they heard a series of explosions and saw black smoke billowing out of the building. People were later seen being carried out of the studio covered in blankets.
Kyoto Animation has animation studios in Kyoto and nearby Uji, where it is headquartered. The studio in question is its first studio, according to the company.
Founded in 1981, the company has released a number of animations appealing to younger generations, particularly in the 2000s. Many fans have visited locations associated with the works.
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