AKB48 Iriyama Anna & Kawaei Rina injured by a saw-wielding man during handshake event in Iwate

Tommy Kono May 25, 2014

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AKB48 Kawaei Rina and Iriyama Anna injured during Handshake event in Iwate

AKB48 member Kawaei Rina (19 y.o) and Iriyama Anna (18 y.o)

Our heart and prayers go out to all the today’s victims, including a brave staff, who had his left hand injured in an attempt to save the girls.

We saw some tweets from people on the site that say the attacker was subdued by none other than… “fans“, and subsequently arrested. Just so heartbreaking that somebody could hurt these innocent girls…

AKB48 members injured by saw-wielding man in Iwate

SOURCE

ORIOKA– A saw-wielding man injured two members of the popular idol girls group AKB48 and a man believed to be a staff member on May 25 at an event to greet fans in Iwate Prefecture, police and other sources said.

The two injured AKB48 members are Rina Kawaei, 19, and Anna Iriyama, 18.

Police apprehended the 24-year-old assailant. They are investigating him on suspicion of attempted murder.

The incident occurred just before 5 p.m. in the Iwate Sangyo Bunka Center (Iwate industry and culture center), named Apio, in Takizawa in the central part of the prefecture.

The three injured people were immediately transported to a hospital by ambulance. Their injuries are not life-threatening, sources said.

Chronological tweets relating to the incident

Flash news: Kawaei Rina & Iriyama Anna (and one staff) were injured by a crazed fan in today's handshake event ^KM pic.twitter.com/5yeQIvK4LI

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

Reports are saying that the guy that did it was swinging a sharp object & hurt the 2 members pic.twitter.com/bT6720YzJz

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

News clip regarding today's horrible incident – it's in Japanese. The guy has been apprehended by the police. http://t.co/92CmFanl7b

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

Both Kawaei, Iriyama injured their hands (by a saw-attack from a man in HS tent). Reportedly ,those injuries are "non-life-threatening".

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

According to reports, local police says the stabbing wounded victims' heads & other parts.

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

@AKB48WrapUp AKB48's officially stated they (Iriyama, Kawaei & a their staff) were stabbed in their hands. pic.twitter.com/P3yeIzUDuo

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

Immediately after the attack, they were taken by ambulance to hospital.Further info including the severity of their injuries ins't available

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

All these while,Jurina kept smiling&said to fans "Its just a greeting sorta^^" to calm fans down(& to defend Imamura) pic.twitter.com/Dv5ZeToVjO

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

The horrendous stabbing that left 2 AKB48 members & 1 staff injured led to the suspension of SKE48's HS event & NMB48's after-show Hi-Five.

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

Confirmed: Iwate Local Police told Nikkansports that Kawaei Rina & Iriyama Anna have had their HEADS & HANDS injured. pic.twitter.com/K1oa6vzErx

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

Iriyama Anna had her right pinky broken & head injured. Kawaei had her right thumb broken. They are undergoing emergency surgery right now.

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

The perpetrator, allegedly, suddenly started swinging a "50cm saw", when he was waiting in line with hundreds of other fans. -Mainichi

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

Source: Mainichi

AKB48 girls gathered @ Iwate station to return to Tokyo. Yuasa explains that Annin also suffered a head laceration. pic.twitter.com/DBk61KBbbJ

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

"Why a man carrying "50cm Saw" could pass the security? Coz the checkpoint is set "before" handshake, not the time when fans enter the venue

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

@AKB48WrapUp pic.twitter.com/NbCRX3XpSd

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014

Yuasa: "At first, they looked very horrified, but eventually regained their poise as doctors talked to 'em. We talked pic.twitter.com/jUQjU74F8s

— AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) May 25, 2014