Japan former PM Shinzo Abe passed away Friday morning after he was shot at during an election campaign earlier in the day, news agency AFP reported.
Abe had collapsed while delivering a speech in the western Japanese city of Nara. After the attack, Abe was showing “no vital signs” AFP had reported earlier.
Quoting fire officials, an AP report had also said in the morning that Abe was “not breathing”, and his “heart stopped” while he was being airlifted to hospital.
Following the reports of attack on Abe, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and cabinet ministers returned back to Tokyo, the AP report quoted government’s spokesperson as saying.
Earlier, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had condemned the attack in the “strongest terms” and said he was praying “from the depths” of his heart Abe would survive.
Also Read: PM Modi: “Deeply Distressed By Attack On My Dear Friend Shinzo Abe”
PM Modi took to Twitter to express his sadness over the former Japan PM’s death.
“I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place,” wrote the PM.
“My association with Mr. Abe goes back many years. I had got to know him during my tenure as Gujarat CM and our friendship continued after I became PM. His sharp insights on economy and global affairs always made a deep impression on me,” he added.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that he is “deeply shocked” by the news about the attack on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a campaign event in western Japan and prayed for his recovery.
“Deeply shocked by the news about former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. Join so many of his friends and admirers in India in praying for him and his family,” he tweeted.
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