Tim Cook says the suspected arson attack on a Japanese animation studio that left 33 people dead is 'a tragedy felt far beyond Japan'

• A fire broke out at Kyoto Animation's studio in Japan on Thursday morning, killing 33 people and leaving 36 people injured.
• Apple CEO Tim Cook called the suspected arson attack "devastating" and "a tragedy felt far beyond Japan" in a tweet on Thursday.
• Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also tweeted his condolences for the beloved animation studio.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

NEW LOOK

Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview

Thanks for signing up!

Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app

Email address

Sign up

By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You can opt-out at any time.

Apple CEO Tim Cook called the suspected act of arson on Kyoto Animation's studio that killed 33 people a "devastating attack" and "a tragedy felt far beyond Japan" in a tweet on Thursday.

According to The Associated Press, the Japanese animation studio's three-story office building in Kyoto caught fire Thursday morning local time. The AP reported that a man burst in and poured an unidentified liquid in the building; Reuters reported that he yelled "die" and set the studio on fire.

Seventy people were in the building when it caught fire, according to The AP, and 33 people were killed and 36 were injured as of 9:45 p.m. local time. The AP reported that the man suspected of arson is among the injured. 

Cook called Kyoto Animation "home to some of the world's most talented animators and dreamers." The studio is known for anime series like "K-On!," "Lucky Star," and "Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya."

—Tim Cook (@tim_cook) July 18, 2019

Cook concluded his message in Japanese, writing "心よりご冥福をお祈りいたします," which roughly translates to "we pray for the souls, from the bottom of my heart," according to Google Translate.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also expressed his condolences on Twitter.

"I'm speechless. I pray for the souls of those who have passed away," Abe said, according to Twitter's translation, powered by Microsoft Translate. "I would like to express my condolences to all of the injured and wish them a speedy recovery."

Read more: 33 dead in suspected arson attack at famous Japanese animation studio