15 people were injured as a result of a chemical attack in a factory in Japan

A man was arrested after eight people were stabbed and seven others injured after throwing what was believed to be a bleach chemical at a tire factory in central Japan on Friday, officials said.

The Fujisan Nantou Fire Department explained that eight people were taken to hospitals after the man stabbed them with a knife at a factory belonging to the Yokohama Rubber Company for tire manufacturing in the city of Mishima in Shizuoka Prefecture, west of Tokyo.

The administration told the Associated Press that five of the people who were stabbed were in serious condition, without disclosing further details. Media reports stated that all the injured were conscious while being transported to hospitals.

Shizuoka Prefecture Police stated that the attacker was 38 years old and was arrested on the basis of attempted murder at the factory, without providing further details.

Kyodo News quoted investigative sources as saying that the attacker was believed to be a former employee at the factory.

The major Japanese newspaper Asahi, citing investigators, reported that the suspect was carrying a combat knife and wearing what appeared to be a gas mask.

The fire department said that seven others were injured as a result of bleach being thrown at them during the attack, and they were taken to hospitals for treatment.