'Shot During Campaign' Former Prime Minister Abe Dies While Under Treatment

Already in Cardiac Arrest Upon Arrival at the Hospital

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot during an election campaign on the 8th, died while receiving treatment.

According to NHK and other Japanese media, the emergency medicine medical staff at Nara Prefectural Medical University Hospital, who were in charge of treating former Prime Minister Abe, held a press conference around 6:15 PM that day and stated, "He was already in cardiopulmonary arrest upon arrival at the hospital," and "He died at 5:03 PM."

They added, "Former Prime Minister Abe was confirmed to have two gunshot wounds on the right side of his neck, and surgical procedures were performed to stop the bleeding, but there was no success," and "We also explained the situation to Mrs. Akie and other family members."

Former Prime Minister Abe was shot and collapsed around 11:30 AM that day during a campaign supporting the House of Councillors election in Nara City, Nara Prefecture. After emergency measures such as cardiac massage were performed, he was transported by ambulance in about 15 minutes, but upon arrival at the hospital, he was already without breathing and heartbeat. According to firefighters, he had wounds and bleeding on the right side of his neck, and subcutaneous bleeding on the left side of his chest.

He was then airlifted by helicopter to the nearby Nara Prefectural Medical University Hospital around noon and received treatment in the intensive care unit.