Japan PM Kishida attacked with smoke bomb during a poll speech in Wakayama, safely evacuated

Digital Desk: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was safely evacuated on Saturday after a suspected smoke or pipe bomb was hurled at him and a loud explosion was reported moments before he began a campaign speech in Wakayama, local media reported.

According to public broadcaster NHK, there was an explosion-like sound at the site. Kishida was reported to have taken refuge at the scene of the incident and was unharmed.

Video footage aired by Japanese media showed people crowded at the site rushing for shelter, while a man was restrained by several others who seemed to be police officers on the spot. Japan PM  Kishida was uninjured following the incident, which occurred when he was speaking with a candidate from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

The Prime Minister's speech was part of the official campaign for a lower house by-election in the Wakayama No. 1 district. As a result of the incident, Kishida's speech has been cancelled.

The event occurs just months after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot during a stump speech before the upper house election in July of last year.