(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) –Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been evacuated unharmed from a public event after what appeared to be a smoke bomb was thrown at him.
A man was detained at the scene in Wakayama, where Mr Kishida had been due to give a speech, local media reported.
A witness said they saw a person throwing something, followed by smoke, while another said they heard a big bang. No injuries were reported.
Video showed officers piling on top of a person, believed to be a suspect.
He was arrested on suspicion of obstruction of business and later identified by the authorities as 24-year-old Ryuji Kimura. His motivation is still unclear.
Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK, quoted Mr Kishida as saying there was a “loud blast” at the venue. “Police are investigating details, but I’d like to apologise for worrying many people and causing them trouble.”
NHK broadcast footage in which crowds of people appear to be running away from the scene.
The footage also shows people swarm around one man, hold him down, and then carry him away.
