The incident, which took place in one of the most iconic areas of the Japanese capital, was reported by the public broadcaster NHK and quickly gained prominence through recordings from eyewitnesses.
In the footage captured on mobile phones, the unusual deployment of police officers can be seen, who resorted to the use of water buckets to extinguish the flames that were starting to spread in the middle of the crossing pavement. Fortunately, despite the nature of the act, authorities have confirmed that no injuries were reported after the incident. However, the danger was imminent; an eyewitness told the Associated Press that there was a strong smell of gasoline in the air, indicating a deliberate act involving fuel.
The seriousness of this incident lies in the strategic and touristic importance of the site. The Shibuya crossing is considered one of the most emblematic places in the Japanese metropolis and a focal point of global pedestrian traffic. According to figures from the Japan National Tourism Organization, at peak times, it is estimated that between 1,000 and 2,500 people cross the intersection simultaneously every two minutes.
A fire under such conditions could have had tragic consequences given the immense crowd density. At the moment, the Japanese police are keeping the suspect in custody as investigations progress to clarify the motives behind the incident at this vital point in the city.