OSAKA — 2021 · Major Tragedy
The Kitashinchi Psychiatric Clinic Arson
On the morning of 17 December 2021 a deliberately set fire broke out in a psychiatric clinic on the fourth floor of the Dojima Kita Building in Osaka's Kitashinchi district. A counselling session for patients preparing to return to work was under way, and many people were inside. Twenty-six people were killed, most from carbon monoxide poisoning. Security footage showed a 61-year-old former patient carrying bags of flammable liquid into the clinic. The suspect was also badly injured and died on 30 December. With the suspect dead, the investigation was closed in 2023 without an indictment. The attack renewed debate about buildings with only a single escape route.
- Date
- 2021
- Place
- Kitashinchi, Japan, Osaka, JP
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 34.6970, 135.4970 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 17 December 2021An arson fire broke out at the Kitashinchi clinic; 24 people died at the scene.
- 21 December 2021The death toll rose to 25, later reaching 26.
- 30 December 2021The suspect, injured in the fire, died in hospital.
- March 2023The case was closed without an indictment because the suspect had died.
- 17 December 2025Victims were remembered on the fourth anniversary.
Sources
- Wikipedia — 2021 Osaka building fire en.wikipedia.org ↗
- The Japan Times — Victims of 2021 Osaka clinic arson attack remembered japantimes.co.jp ↗
- VOA — Osaka arson suspect identified voanews.com ↗
- Wikipedia
- The Japan Times
- Voice of America
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.