OSAKA - Eleven men were injured when a traditional danjiri festival float overturned while attempting to make a sharp left turn at an intersection in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on the evening of October 3, with all victims conscious when transported to hospitals and none suffering life-threatening injuries.
The accident occurred at around 7:30 p.m. to 7:40 p.m. during a danjiri festival in Sakai's Naka Ward, where participants were pulling the large wooden float through the streets.
According to police and emergency services, the float was approaching an intersection at speed when it failed to complete a left turn and toppled onto its right side.
Eleven men aged between 17 and 64, all involved in the festival, were injured after falling or being thrown from the float. Their injuries included bruises and other trauma to the head, chest, arms and lower jaw.
Witnesses described a loud crash as the float overturned, with several participants thrown to the ground by the impact.
"The sound when it fell was tremendous, like a huge bang," one witness said.
Another witness described how the float tipped in the opposite direction as it attempted to turn. "It was turning left when it fell to the right. The injuries seemed to come from people being thrown off as it overturned," the witness said.
A man who saw the accident said nobody appeared to have been trapped beneath the float. "When it fell over, nobody was caught underneath it. Everyone was conscious," he said.
Emergency services confirmed that all 11 injured men were conscious when transported to hospitals and that their injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Authorities also confirmed that no pedestrians or nearby residents were injured or otherwise affected by the accident.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the overturning, including how the float was being maneuvered as it entered the intersection.
Danjiri festivals are traditional events in which groups of participants pull large, elaborately carved wooden floats through streets, often negotiating tight corners at considerable speed. The floats are guided by teams of participants who coordinate their movements to maintain control while turning.
The accident highlights the risks involved in maneuvering the heavy festival floats through narrow urban intersections, particularly when making sharp turns at speed.
Source: YOMIURI
