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KYOTO -- An explosion at an animation studio here on the morning of July 18 has left 14 people dead, and over 10 others are in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest, police and firefighters said.

A man allegedly entered the No. 1 studio of the Kyoto Animation building in Fushimi Ward in the western Japan city of Kyoto at around 10:30 a.m., poured what appeared to be gasoline around while screaming, "Go die," and set fire to it. The man was injured and admitted to a hospital.

A plastic container and a knife were found left at the scene. The 41-year-old suspect told prefectural police that he set fire to the building. Police are treating the case as arson.

At least 36 people were injured, and 10 of them seriously. Some of them are unconscious. Moreover, there are some people who remain unaccounted for, leading investigators to suspect that they are trapped inside the structure.

About 30 fire engines were mobilized to extinguish the fire. About 70 people including employees were in the No. 1 studio at the time of the incident.

The three-story No. 1 studio, with a total floor space of about 700 square meters, was burned down in the blaze.

Source

Absolutely horrific scenes out of Kyoto today. This is one of the largest acts of mass violence in modern Japanese history. 

It should be noted that within the oppressive, grueling anime industry, Kyoto Animation was held up as the gold standard in employee treatment. They worked regular hours, did no paid overtime and had a family culture (the company's day nursery was on the building's second floor). Absolutely revolting attack.

The perpetrator managed to light himself on fire too and is in an induced coma in hospital. If he survives, he will likely be hung after a long period of solitary confinement (as he deserves). May the deceased rest in peace.