Japan Deputy Mayor Crushed to Death by 3-Tonne Festival Float
A deputy mayor in western Japan was killed when a giant float crushed him during a traditional local festival and now authorities are trying to figure out what went wrong on the night of the tragic accident.
Akihiro Nabae, the deputy mayor of Saijo in Ehime Prefecture, was taking part in the annual Saijo festival when disaster struck on Saturday. That’s when he got trapped beneath the huge float, according to local officials and the police who were on the scene.
Nabae was rushed in to the hospital but sadly didnt make it. Local newspapers tell us this.
Its sadly another high-profile example of accidents at Japan’s traditional festivals throwing up serious concerns about safety when thousands of people are packed in to see massive floats and processions.
Japan Deputy Mayor Akihiro Nabae Dies in Festival Accident
Nabae was actually one of the guys carrying a massive festival float through the streets when the accident happened during the procession in Saijo – a place in the west of the country. Theyve lined up 11 of the floats side by side before and the one that crushed Nabae could of weighed as much as 3 tonnes.
As he was being taken to hospital after the accident Nabae sadly passed away.
Local newspapers have told us that there were 11 floats all lined up side by side that day, and the one that crushed the deputy mayor is a pretty big deal.
Police Investigate Cause of Deadly Float Accident
Japanese police are now looking into how this all went so tragically wrong for Nabae, including whether the float just toppled over, or if he lost his footing while he was in the procession.
The deputy director of a local police station, Makoto Hagiyama, told AFP they are working hard to get all the facts straight about exactly how Nabae died.
They need to know how it happened for him to get trapped like he did & what put him in that position.
What Is the Saijo Festival in Japan?
The Saijo festival is an old-timey celebration that happens every year when local shrines in Saijo, Ehime Prefecture get together for some fun.
Looking at the city website, this thing is all about these super elaborate floats that are shaped like flowers, birds and – believe it or not – warriors. I mean they’re not just elaborate, they’re elaborate in all the right ways.
Now, this festival has its roots way back in Japan’s Edo period – 1603 to 1868 and it used to be all about saying thanks to the gods for a good harvest. The whole area still looks back on it as a real big deal, even today.
It’s not just some quaint old-timey thing either, lots of people get involved and end up carrying and parading those floats all around the community.
Other Deadly Festival Accidents Reported in Japan
Nabae’s sad accident hasn’t been the only one at these traditional festivals in Japan, I’m afraid.
Just last Saturday, two people went and got themselves killed during different festivals in western Osaka, when the floats they were carrying on ended up crashing down during a high-speed turn.
And back in February, another two people got caught up in a stampede at the Naked Man Festival, sadly passing away.
Different festivals, different incidents, but the same old concern – getting squished, getting hurt, or heaven forbid getting killed, when you’re in a big crowd and the floats are moving, too.
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Japan Deputy Mayor Crushed to Death by 3-Tonne Festival Float
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