19 hospitalised after suspicious substance sprayed at Tokyo's Ginza 6 mall

At least 19 people were taken to hospital after a strong smell was reported at the upscale Ginza 6 shopping centre in Tokyo. Police say a man sprayed an unidentified substance near an ATM inside the luxury mall.

At least 19 people were rushed to hospital on Monday after a suspicious smell was detected inside the Ginza 6 shopping centre, one of Tokyo's most prestigious luxury malls, located in the upmarket Ginza district.

According to Tokyo police, a man was seen spraying an unidentified substance at or near an ATM inside the mall. The incident prompted an emergency response, with dozens of people complaining of symptoms linked to the strong smell that spread through the building.

Ginza 6, which opened in 2017, is one of the largest commercial complexes in central Tokyo, housing numerous high-end boutiques and restaurants. The incident caused significant disruption to shoppers and staff inside the building.

Authorities are investigating the nature of the substance and the motive behind the act. The suspect's identity and current status were not immediately confirmed. Police urged anyone with information related to the incident to come forward as the investigation continues.