2 men die in float festival accidents in Osaka Prefecture
OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Two men died and more than a dozen others were injured Saturday when floats overturned during annual festivals in Osaka Prefecture.In
Two men lost their lives and over a dozen individuals were injured when floats toppled over during annual festivals in Osaka Prefecture on Saturday, according to Kyodo news.
In Izumisano, a 51-year-old man tragically succumbed to his injuries after being pinned beneath an overturned float while riding it with fellow participants. He was subsequently rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead. Seven others sustained injuries in the same incident.
Similarly, a float at a separate event in Izumiotsu also lost control, resulting in the death of a 48-year-old man who was among those trapped underneath. The man had been riding the float when it overturned, leading to nine additional injuries.
Both accidents occurred as the danjiri floats, which are traditionally pulled around corners using human power in festivals that began as prayers for a bountiful harvest in the southwestern part of the prefecture, were navigating sharp turns. Danjiri floats are renowned for their elaborate designs and are a key attraction of the parades.
These incidents are not uncommon during yarimawashi, a pivotal moment in the parades where the floats make sudden turns without halting. On October 3, a similar accident occurred in Sakai, another city in the southwestern part of the prefecture, where a float's topple led to the injury of 11 people.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
