Japan Press Weekly

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2024 May 29 - June 4 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Flammable gas detected at Osaka Expo construction site

The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition on May 30 announced that methane gas that caused an explosion and fire in March was detected in Zones 2 and 3 of the Pavilion area at the center of the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

The association has repeatedly insisted that “no gas has been detected in the area and the possibility of a gas release is extremely low.” In response, Akahata pointed out that dredged sludge, which produces gases, has been buried and methane has been detected in a subway line, which is under construction, to the artificial island of Yumeshima, the Expo venue. The association this time admitted to these points raised in Akahata.

The concentration of methane gas identified in the measurements taken from January to March ranged between 2 vol% and 7 vol% at four locations near the ground surface above the subway construction site. Incidentally, the lower explosive limit of methane is 5 vol%. So, it has become evident that there is a risk of explosion.

On March 28, an explosion caused by methane from buried waste occurred in Zone 1 of the Pavilion area. According to the accident report from the local fire department, the area damaged by the “explosion and fire” was approximately 100 square meters, extending from the basement to the 1st floor ceiling.

Past related article:
> JCP Osaka: Osaka Expo should be cancelled as it will endanger children’s lives [April 13, 2024]