KOBE -- A total of 6,000 masks were stolen from a hospital in Kobe, it was learned.
The Hyogo prefectural police are investigating the case on suspicion of theft with intent to sell the items.
According to police and other sources, 120 boxes containing 50 medical surgical masks each -- a value of approximately 40,000 yen -- were stored in cardboard boxes in a locked warehouse on the third floor of the Japanese Red Cross Kobe Hospital in Chuo Ward, Kobe.
When a hospital official checked the storehouse on Feb. 13, it was discovered the masks were missing.
There was no thing out of ordinary when the items were checked on Feb. 3. The loss of the masks resulted in no disruption of hospital operations as the stolen items were meant to be kept in storage, the sources said.
Operating rooms and intensive care units are among facilities on the third floor, which is off limits to unauthorized persons.
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