07:39-11:00 - 20 March 1995

Japan suffered its worst-ever terrorist attack in 1995, when members of the Aum Shinrikyo group released deadly gas on Tokyo’s underground during the morning rush hour.

Passengers faint from toxic fumes released within the train.

One packet containing sarin gas was kicked onto the platform where fumes released killed 4 people.

Five members of Aum Shinrikyo boarded packed commuter trains and dropped packages of liquid sarin, wrapped in newspaper and plastic, onto the carriage floor. They then punctured the packages with the sharpened tips of umbrellas before leaving the train. Some were wearing masks and scarves, which protected them from sarin fumes as they made their escape.

Sarin was developed by the Nazis in the 1930s and is 20 times more deadly than cyanide gas. Prolonged exposure can lead to seizures, paralysis, coma and heart and respiratory failure. It is tasteless, colourless and odourless, so the first indication something was wrong came when people began to experience symptoms, including breathing difficulties and watering eyes. Hospitals were unprepared for the scale of the emergency and had little information on how to treat casualties once sarin was identified as the cause. Some passengers put themselves at risk by helping others and 135 medical staff was injured due to lack of protective equipment and decontamination procedures.

12 people died and over 3,000 were injured, many of who are still suffering from the after effects including brain damage, breathing problems and depression. Aum Shinrikyo admitted it was responsible for the attack and the terrorists involved have since been sentenced to death or life imprisonment.

* Images from Zero Hour program