At least 15 people were killed and 45 injured in a knife attack Tuesday at a facility for the handicapped in Sagamihara, just outside Tokyo, Japan's broadcaster NHK has reported.
Stabbing spree casualties hit 19 as 4 more are declared dead. Another 25 are wounded, 20 of them are serious.
According to police cited by the Asahi Shimbun daily, the suspect said: "The disabled should all disappear."
Japan's national broadcaster NHK reported the suspect, 26, is a former employee at the facility. He left the knife in his car when he entered the station.
Police said they responded to a call about 2:30 am from an employee saying something horrible is happening at the facility in the city of Sagamihara.
Japanese broadcaster NHK reports 15 people have died in the attack and 45 injured.
Kyodo News agency, which had initially reported that 19 people were killed and 20 injured, later also said at least 15 people had died.
Japan's news agency Kyodo has reported that 19 people were killed and 20 were injured in a knife attack Tuesday at a facility for the handicapped in Sagamihara, just outside Tokyo.
Here's what we know
- Other media reports said dozens more could be injured.
- The suspected 26-year-old attacker has been arrested after turning himself in.
- Suspect was a former employee at the centre.
- Injured included those in a condition of heart and lung failures.