Japan PM Kishida attacked with smoke bomb,evacuated safely

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated after a loud explosion was heard just before he began a stump speech in the city of Wakayama on Saturday. According to Japanese media reports, a pipe-like object was thrown near Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during an outdoor speech. Fumio Kishida was evacuated.

#URGENTE | Evacúan al PM de Japón, Fumio Kishida, por un incidente de seguridad. pic.twitter.com/iefcLXores

— Mundo en Conflicto (@MundoEConflicto) April 15, 2023

 An explosion-like sound was heard at the scene, public broadcaster NHK reported. Fumio Kishida took cover at the site of the explosion site and remained safe, it added. It was reported that Kishida took refuge at the site of the incident and was not harmed.

#AHORA | El momento de la fuerte explosión a metros del Primer Ministro de Japón, Fumio Kishida. pic.twitter.com/wVzSQX2DTe

— Mundo en Conflicto (@MundoEConflicto) April 15, 2023

The PM's speech was a part of the official campaigning for a lower house by-election for the Wakayama No. 1 district. Kishida's speech has been cancelled in light of the attack.

A person was detained at the site in western Japan's Wakayama where Kishida had been due to give a speech, national broadcaster NHK and others said. There was no immediate official confirmation of the incident, with local police declining to comment.