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Female Victim of Kyoto Animation Fire Passes Away, Bringing Death Toll to 36 (Updated)
posted on by Crystalyn Hodgkins
News service NHK reported on Saturday that, according to police, a woman in her 20s who was hospitalized after the July 18 fire at Kyoto Animation's Studio 1 building passed away on Friday around 8:00 p.m. from septic shock.
Police stated that the woman was an employee at Kyoto Animation, and she was on the first floor when the fire broke out. The woman evacuated the building through the genkan entryway and was rescued by authorities, but suffered burns on her entire body. The woman was undergoing treatment at the hospital until she passed away. Police stated they will work with the bereaved family and Kyoto Animation in regards to possibly releasing the victim's name to the public in the future.
Police also stated that five victims are still hospitalized.
The Asahi Shimbun newspaper and the Asahi Broadcasting News previously reported that seven injured women were still undergoing treatment at the hospital as of September 6. Three were in critical condition, one was in serious condition, and three were still being treated for burns or broken bones. The Kyodo news service then reported on September 18 that there were no longer any victims in life-threatening condition.
A total of 70 people were inside the building when the July 18 fire broke out. The fire killed 36 people, and injured 33 others. In addition to those victims, a man in his 40s on his way to work in the area suffered minor injuries from smoke inhalation.
Kyoto Prefectural Police have apprehended a 41-year-old man who allegedly used gasoline to start the fire, and they are investigating the case as arson. Police have yet to arrest the man as he is still in the hospital recovering from his injuries from the fire.
Kyoto Animation plans to host a memorial event for the general public on November 3-4 in Kyoto, although the company has yet to announce specific details for the event. The company held a private mourning event in late September for bereaved families, employees, and injured victims. Around 250 people attended the event.
Update: According to The Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, the woman in her 20s died of septic shock. Source: The Mainichi
Source: NHK
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