At least 33 people are dead and many more injured after a man set fire to Kyoto Animation studio in the nation’s worst mass murder in nearly two decades.
Kyoto Animation, a Japanese animation studio located in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan was set on fire on Thursday morning (18 Jul 2019) around 10:30 am local time.
Police said a 41 year old suspect had broke into the Kyoto Animation Studio screaming “Die!”, and was allegedly seen pouring gasoline and setting it on fire.
The arson suspect did not work for Kyoto Animation studio, however a witness told Japanese TV that the arson suspect was angry and shouted “They ripped me off.” when police questioned him why he set the studio on fire.
The suspect was injured and taken to the hospital to be treated, thus police was not able to question him.
Kyoto Animation, also known as KyoAni, was founded in 1981, and is popular for producing shows such as K-On! and is known for anime like ‘K-On!’ and ‘The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya’.
According to a report from NHK, the head of the studio said that he had recently received some threatening emails.”They were addressed to our office and sales department and told us to “die”.” said the President of Kyoto Animation, Hideaki Hatta.
本日、京都で発生した放火殺人事件では、多数の死傷者が出ており、あまりの凄惨さに言葉を失います。お亡くなりになられた方のご冥福をお祈りいたします。負傷された皆様にお見舞いを申し上げるとともに、一日も早い回復をお祈りしています。
— 安倍晋三 (@AbeShinzo) July 18, 2019
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on tweeted expressing his condolences to all of the injured and wish them a speedy recovery.
Japan’s Prime Minster Shinzo Abe’s tweet Translated from Japanese by Microsoft
Today, in the arson murder spree in Kyoto, there are a lot of casualties, i.e. i’m speechless. I pray for the souls of those who have passed away. I would like to express my condolences to all of the injured and wish them a speedy recovery.
Anime fans all over have began to pour their grief out over the reason arson attack on Kyoto Animation mostly with the hashtag #PrayForKyoAni
My heart goes out to the deceased, the injured, and their loved ones. I cannot thank them enough for their hard work and all the wonderful art that has given so much joy to me and others around the world. I hope the surviving will heal in time. #PrayForKyoani pic.twitter.com/KMN0l1rrhR
— BaconDust (@BaconDust1) July 18, 2019
#PrayForKyoani one of the best Anime studios, with beautiful Animes, that inspired me & millions of people. pic.twitter.com/sKU3VL9rUT
— Min (@SugaIsMySenpai_) July 18, 2019
Kyoto Animation is a beloved, organized, & independent studio full of talented people who’ve worked/helped tirelessly on these gorgeously animated & heartwarming shows that spread joy to millions. My condolences to all the brilliant staffs & their families. pic.twitter.com/B2lbrYf1qh
— ThrowingMyselfAtTheSun (@PrideWrathToday) July 18, 2019
