Big Explosion Flattened Barbecue Restaurant In Japan, 19 Casualties

Police confirmed the smell of gas flying off at the scene and an initial examination showed that in the restaurant there were 6 gas cylinders, of which 3 were broken. 

NHK broadcaster reported that a major explosion has occurred in Japan's Fukushima province, killing one person and injuring 19 others. 

The explosion completely destroyed a small house in the city of Koriyama. The house exploded, the roof was broken, though the wall was still inert. Under the rubble inside the house, firefighters found a dead person. Another 18 people were injured in varying degrees, two of them in serious condition.

According to police news, this is a Japanese cuisine restaurant that specializes in meat dishes, which has been discontinued since April due to coronavirus. During this time, the owner of the restaurant conducted the renovation and is expected to reopen next Friday.

There was a smell of gas flying out at the scene and initial examination showed that in the restaurant there were 6 gas cylinders, of which 3 were broken. As a result, police initially identified the gas as the cause of the explosion and are investigating the cause. 

Police applied restrictions on the area within a radius of 300m around the scene. At the same time, it is recommended that people do not come close to the scene because a second explosion may occur due to the remaining untreated gas tanks.