Flames in a building in the center of Osaka: "At least 27 victims"

At least 27 people died in a fire in a building in the central district of Osaka, the main metropolis of western Japan.

A spokesman for the firefighters intervened on the spot, a 28th person was injured.

"The fire was identified at 10:18 am (local time, ed) on the fourth floor of this eight-story building," the spokesperson added, explaining that the fire was put out about half an hour later. .

According to investigative sources cited by the Japanese media, it is an arson that spread in a psychiatric care clinic.

Police believe that a man triggered the flames, which then quickly spread to the building in the Kitashinchi neighborhood, populated by numerous bars and nightclubs.

(Unioneonline / L)