Knife-Wielding ‘Joker’ Sets Fire To Tokyo Train, Injures 17

A man wielding a knife attacked passengers and lit a fire aboard a train in Tokyo on Sunday, leaving at least 17 people injured, one seriously, The Japan Times reports.

京王線火災で逃げる人々 pic.twitter.com/ZfN1pD0C2V

— しずくβ (@siz33) October 31, 2021

The fire is believed to have spread from a seat in the fifth car of the limited express train, which made an emergency stop at Kokuryo Station.

“I heard a loud bang and saw flames and smoke in the back. Everyone was panicking,” a male passenger said.

京王線社内で火災発生 pic.twitter.com/94cLtJkDy4

— しずくβ (@siz33) October 31, 2021

Police officers were seen entering the carriage in which the suspect was seated.

The man reportedly did not resist being taken into custody.

Police were reported to be investigating whether hydrochloric acid was also used in the incident, however police later denied any spread of acid on the train.

In a video posted to social media, a man believed to be the assailant is seen dressed in clothes that resemble those of The Joker, the infamous villain from the “Batman” franchise. After the train had stopped, he was seen sitting alone on a train seat, calmly smoking a cigarette.

UPDATE – 24-year-old man dressed as “Batman’s Joker” has been identified as the suspect in the #Tokyo attack.pic.twitter.com/cS959TmQqW

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) October 31, 2021

Another video showed a man who appeared to be the same person surrounded by police.

京王線火災、刃物男逮捕 pic.twitter.com/TGhtO3ntTA

— しずくβ (@siz33) October 31, 2021

The incident took place just two weeks after a 45-year-old man was arrested for stabbing two men at Tokyo’s Ueno Station.