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Paraquat murders
1985 series of beverage poisonings in Japan / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The paraquat murders were a series of indiscriminate beverage poisonings carried out in western and central Japan in 1985. The drinks were placed in and around vending machines, where the victim would consume the beverage. All the beverages were poisoned with the herbicide paraquat dichloride, except for one which was poisoned with diquat. The most targeted beverages were the energy drinks Oronamin C and Real Gold. The first known case was on April 30, in Fukuyama. At least 12 died and 35 became seriously ill, in what is possibly the deadliest product-tampering case in history. Warning labels and leaflets were posted around Tokyo, and on many of the 5.2 million vending machines across Japan. Police were unable to gather any evidence about the murders, and the case remains unsolved.
Paraquat murders | |
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![]() A Japanese vending machine containing (among other drinks) bottles of Oronamin C, which was intentionally poisoned by the culprit or culprits | |
Location | Japan |
Date | April 30 – November 17, 1985 |
Attack type | Poisoning (using paraquat and diquat) |
Deaths | 12 killed |
Injured | 35 poisoned |