News On Japan

Officials Investigate Fireworks Fiasco

YOKOHAMA, Aug 06 (News On Japan) - Authorities have launched a full investigation into the fire that broke out during the Minato Mirai fireworks festival in Yokohama, where five workers had to be rescue from an exploding barge.

The fire occurred on August 4th on a barge used to launch fireworks in the Minato Mirai waterfront area. Five workers on board were rescued after the vessel caught fire.

With the safety of the burned-out barge confirmed, the Yokohama Coast Guard and Kanagawa Prefectural Police began a full-scale investigation around 10:30 a.m. on August 6th.

It has been revealed that attempts by the workers to stop the fireworks using the control system immediately after the fire broke out were unsuccessful. Investigators are now looking into whether a malfunction in the launch control system may have contributed to the fire.

Source: TBS

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