Massive Explosion Rocks Sapporo Japan Sunday At Least 40 Victims After Restaurant Leveled

SAPPORO, JP. (THECOUNT) — At least 40 people were reported injured following a large explosion that occurred at a restaurant in Sapporo, Japan on Sunday, officials said.

The blast took place around 8:30 p.m. in Sapporo, the capital of the mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, located about 700 miles north of Tokyo, according to reports.

The blast scattered massive amounts of debris into area streets. A large plume of smoke rose could be seen rising from the scene.

しょうた via Twitter @shotacamera: “平岸三条八丁目でガス爆発による火災。火の勢い物凄く、消防車や救急車多数”

Police officers were keeping people from approaching the damaged building out of fear of additional blasts, the Japan Times reported.

“I heard a ‘bang,’ which sounded like thunder, and my condo was shaken,” a man who lives nearby told the news outlet. source

Additional details about the cause of the blast and extent of those injured was not immediately provided.

Developing.