Japanese girl band AKB48 were attacked by a man with a saw at a fan event on Sunday (May 25).
Two members of the popular group were left injured by the attack, along with a member of their staff who tried to intervene.
The alleged attacker, named as 24-year-old Satoru Umeta, was one of many attending a fan event in Takizawa in northern Japan. He is said to have approached the two singers as they stood meeting fans, removing the saw from inside his coat.
Members Anna Iriyama, 18, and Rina Kawaei, 19, sustained head and hand injuries, while the member of staff suffered cuts to his hand.
The trio have now been released from hospital following surgery, with Kawaei commenting: “We’ve caused you worry, but we are returning to Tokyo now. Thank you very much.”
Local police told AFP: “We have started questioning the suspect this morning (May 26) to know details, including his motive.”
AKB48’s concert in Tokyo tonight has been cancelled, as have other forthcoming fan events.
The girlband holds the Guinness World Record for being the world’s largest pop group, with 140 names in the current line-up. Fans of the group vote for new additions each year.
Source: Digital Spy
