Japanese ex PM Shinzo Abe dies after being shot while campaigning

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died on Friday after being shot twice at a campaign event in the Nara region, news agency AFP reported quoting local media.

Mr Abe immediately collapsed and was rushed to the nearest hospital. Pictures taken at the scene showed him bleeding.

Security officials at the scene tackled the gunman, and the 41-year-old suspect is now in police custody.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed that Mr Abe had a bullet wound on the right of his neck, and also suffered subcutaneous bleeding under the left part of his chest.

It is unclear if both shots hit him, or if a bullet hit him on the neck and travelled elsewhere.

National broadcaster NHK said Mr Abe was "conscious and responsive" while he was transported to the hospital, citing police sources.

But it also quoted a senior member of Mr Abe's party as saying the 67-year-old's situation was "worrisome". Mr Abe also received blood transfusion but could not survive.