A residential explosion in Sapporo resulted in one woman's death, revealing that a subsidiary of Hokkaido Gas had ignored safety suggestions from an inspector four years prior.
A tragic explosion in a residential area of Teine, Sapporo, occurred on the morning of February 9, resulting in the death of a 62-year-old woman and serious injuries to her husband and daughter. The blast, which completely destroyed the house believed to be the source of the explosion, also caused injuries to two neighbors and damaged 71 nearby homes due to the force of the explosion. The police and fire departments confirmed the extent of the destruction and the injuries resulting from this catastrophic event.
During a press conference on February 17, the president of Hokkaido Gas, Tomohiro Kawamura, expressed regret over the incident, revealing that four years prior, an inspector had suggested necessary measures to address safety concerns, but the company considered the situation to be of low urgency and failed to act on the recommendations. This negligence has provoked significant public outrage and raised questions about the regulatory oversight of gas safety and the responsibilities of utility companies in maintaining infrastructure that can affect public safety.
As the investigation continues, this incident has sparked discussions around gas safety regulations in Japan and the need for improved communication and action between utility companies and government safety regulators. The explosion not only claimed a life but also instigated broader concerns about emergency preparedness and response capabilities within local government and emergency services, highlighting the vital importance of heeding safety recommendations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
