Japanese Prime Minister unhurt after explosive was thrown toward him during a campaign event

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was rushed to safety Saturday after someone threw an explosive device in his direction during a campaign event where he was set to speak in Wakayama, Japan. 

Police wrestled the suspect to the ground while people in the audience scrambled to get away as smoke filled the air. 

Kishida was rushed to a vehicle and was evacuated to the Wakayama prefectural police headquarters.

One police officer was injured, according to the Associated Press, but no one in the crowd was hurt. Kishida was able to make his speech after things had settled down.

"We are holding an important election across the country and we have to work together to see it through to the end," he said during his speech.

Japan's public broadcasting network NHK reported that the suspect, a 24-year-old man who goes by Kimura Ryuji, has been identified and arrested.

Police suspect the explosive device was an "iron pipe bomb."