Dozens injured after huge blast at restaurant in Japan

More than 40 people taken to hospital after explosion in northern city of Sapporo

epa07235359 Firefighters work on site where a large explosion occurred at a restaurant in Sapporo, Japan, 16 December 2018. According to local media reports, an explosion that triggered a fire occurred at a restaurant in Sapporo in the evening of 16 December. The cause of the explosion is still unknown. At least 20 people have been reported injured and taken to hospitals.  EPA/JIJI PRESS JAPAN OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/ BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE  NO ARCHIVES
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More than 40 people were injured in an explosion on Sunday night at a restaurant in northern Japan, police said.

The explosion occurred in Sapporo, the capital city of Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido, and caused nearby apartment buildings and houses to shake.

Police said 42 people were injured. Most of the injuries were not severe mildly, but one person was left in a serious condition.

The cause of the explosion, which took place in a two-storey restaurant in Sapporo's Toyohira district, is under investigation, police said. However, a witness told public broadcaster NHK that he smelt gas after the sound of an explosion.

NHK footage showed the restaurant in flames, with debris scattered on the ground.

epa07235347 Firefighters work on site where a large explosion occurred at a restaurant in Sapporo, Japan, 16 December 2018. According to local media reports, an explosion that triggered a fire occurred at a restaurant in Sapporo in the evening of 16 December. The cause of the explosion is still unknown. At least 20 people have been reported injured and taken to hospitals.  EPA/JIJI PRESS JAPAN OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/  NO ARCHIVES
epa07235347 Firefighters work on site where a large explosion occurred at a restaurant in Sapporo, Japan, 16 December 2018. According to local media reports, an explosion that triggered a fire occurred at a restaurant in Sapporo in the evening of 16 December. The cause of the explosion is still unknown. At least 20 people have been reported injured and taken to hospitals. EPA/JIJI PRESS JAPAN OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/ NO ARCHIVES

Firefighters work at the site of the damaged restaurant in Sapporo. EPA

The footage later showed grey smoke billowing from the restaurant as dozens of firefighters poured water on to the building, which was charred and close to collapse. Windows on an apartment building next door were broken, and cars parked outside were partially covered with debris.