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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World

Tokyo crash: Eight injured as car ploughs into revellers gathered for New Year's celebrations in Japan

Fire services inspect the crash site in the Japanese capital (Picture: AP)

A car has smashed into revellers who were gathering for New Year’s celebrations in Tokyo, Japan, injuring eight people.

A man, in his 20s, has been arrested and police said he is suspected of intentionally trying to kill people by driving the vehicle at crowds.

The street, in the city centre, was sealed off as officers investigated the shocking incident on Tuesday morning.

Footage from local broadcaster NHK showed a small van with its entire front end smashed and officers and ambulance workers rushing to the scene.

Emergency services are seen behind a car that crashed into a crowd gathering for the New Year in Tokyo (EPA)

Local media reported that a suspect had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The crash occurred early on Tuesday on Takeshita Dori, a street well-known to tourists, which runs past the Meiji Shrine in Harajuku.

Every New Year's Eve, the train line that includes Harajuku station runs all night for people welcoming the New Year with a shrine visit.

Additional reporting by AP.

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