Multiple blasts rock Japanese city

A series of blasts near a park in the Japanese city of Utsunomiya have reportedly killed at least one person and wounded three others.

The cause of the explosions, which are said to have taken place almost simultaneously, is not yet known. Police are said to be investigating whether the incidents are linked.

Images showed a number of burnt out cars and a building near one of the blast sites.

Utsunomiya lies around 100 kilometres north of Japan’s capital Tokyo.

Witnesses said they heard a number of loud explosions.

‘‘There was such a strong shock-wave. It doesn’t compare with the explosion of gas canisters. After the first bang, there were much bigger explosions,’‘ said one man.

The burned body of a man was also reportedly found in a nearby park where a folk festival was taking place. The force of that blast ripped apart a park bench.

Crime rates in Japan are low and there are no known groups actively waging a violent campaign against the state.