A married couple in Japan have died after becoming trapped inside a private sauna room when a fire broke out at a spa facility in Tokyo.
The victims, a 37-year-old nail technician and her 36-year-old husband, who owned a beauty salon, had booked a private sauna session at a spa located in the Akasaka area of the city. According to reports, the incident occurred on Monday.
The couple were found collapsed inside the sauna, lying near the entrance. Emergency responders rushed them to a nearby hospital, but both were later confirmed dead.
Authorities are investigating whether a malfunctioning door handle prevented the pair from escaping as the fire spread through the facility. Preliminary findings also revealed that the sauna’s emergency alarm system was not functioning at the time of the incident.
Investigators disclosed that the alarm—designed to include an emergency button inside the private room—had reportedly been switched off for approximately two years. Officials believe the couple may have repeatedly pressed the emergency button in an attempt to call for help, as the protective cover was found removed.
A partially burnt towel discovered inside the sauna has led investigators to suspect the fire may have started after the fabric came into contact with overheated sauna stones.
Health authorities confirmed that the spa began operations in mid-2022 and underwent its last inspection in early 2023, during which no major safety issues were documented. However, the current investigation is examining whether safety standards were adequately maintained afterward.
The spa management issued a public statement expressing condolences to the victims’ family and described the incident as deeply tragic. The facility said it is fully cooperating with fire and safety authorities and announced an immediate temporary closure. Customers with existing bookings were informed that refunds would be issued.
The tragedy has reignited concerns about safety practices in private sauna facilities, which have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Officials have noted an increase in sauna-related accidents alongside this growth, prompting renewed calls for tighter oversight and regulation.
A similar fatal incident occurred several years ago in Prague, where a mother and daughter died after becoming trapped inside a sauna due to a broken door handle, highlighting ongoing safety risks associated with enclosed heat facilities.
Authorities are investigating whether a malfunctioning door handle prevented the pair from escaping as the fire spread through the facility. Preliminary findings also revealed that the sauna’s emergency alarm system was not functioning at the time of the incident.
Investigators disclosed that the alarm—designed to include an emergency button inside the private room—had reportedly been switched off for approximately two years. Officials believe the couple may have repeatedly pressed the emergency button in an attempt to call for help, as the protective cover was found removed.
A partially burnt towel discovered inside the sauna has led investigators to suspect the fire may have started after the fabric came into contact with overheated sauna stones.
Health authorities confirmed that the spa began operations in mid-2022 and underwent its last inspection in early 2023, during which no major safety issues were documented. However, the current investigation is examining whether safety standards were adequately maintained afterward.
The spa management issued a public statement expressing condolences to the victims’ family and described the incident as deeply tragic. The facility said it is fully cooperating with fire and safety authorities and announced an immediate temporary closure. Customers with existing bookings were informed that refunds would be issued.
The tragedy has reignited concerns about safety practices in private sauna facilities, which have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Officials have noted an increase in sauna-related accidents alongside this growth, prompting renewed calls for tighter oversight and regulation.
A similar fatal incident occurred several years ago in Prague, where a mother and daughter died after becoming trapped inside a sauna due to a broken door handle, highlighting ongoing safety risks associated with enclosed heat facilities.
