Clinic arson, murder suspect dies at Osaka hospital

The Yomiuri Shimbun

21:05 JST, December 30, 2021

OSAKA — A 61-year-old man suspected of starting a fire that killed 25 people at a clinic in Kita Ward, Osaka, died in hospital on Thursday, the police said.

The motive of the attack has not been determined.

The fire occurred at around 10:15 a.m. on Dec. 17 at the Nishi-Umeda Kokoro to Karada no Clinic on the fourth floor of a multi-tenant building.

The Osaka prefectural police identified Morio Tanimoto as the suspect based on security footage and other information. He allegedly started the fire using gasoline that he had taken to the clinic. The police released his name on Dec. 19.

Twenty-six victims, comprising patients and staff, were transported from the clinic in cardiopulmonary arrest, of whom 25 died and one remains in critical condition.

Tanimoto was also transported to a hospital in cardiopulmonary arrest and was resuscitated. He was diagnosed with postresuscitation encephalopathy and was being treated at a hospital in Osaka.

According to the police, he had been in a coma and was declared dead at 7:05 p.m. Thursday.