First Pokemon Go death reported in Japan

A FEMALE pedestrian has been killed and another badly injured in a car accident in western Japan, involving a man playing the popular Pokemon Go game while driving, authorities say.

Nintendo's Pokemon Go game on a mobile phone in Tokyo

A FEMALE pedestrian has been killed and another badly injured in a car accident in western Japan, involving a man playing the popular Pokemon Go game while driving, authorities say.

 

It was the first fatal accident in Japan linked to the augmented-reality mobile game since its release in the country a month ago, Japanese police said on Wednesday.

The 39-year-old farmer was arrested after his vehicle hit the two women on a road in the city of Tokushima on the south-western island of Shikoku Tuesday evening, Kyodo News agency reported.

The man told investigators he was "playing the Pokemon Go game" while driving, Kyodo said.

The game involves players using the application to search for Pokemon, rare cartoon monsters, around real life geographical locations.

The National Police Agency reported on Tuesday that 79 bicycle and car accidents related to playing the game have taken place in Japan since its release in late July.

Originally published as First Pokemon Go death reported in Japan