2 men die in float festival accidents in Japan

Two men died and more than a dozen others were injured Saturday when floats overturned during annual festivals in Osaka Prefecture.

In Izumisano, a 51-year-old man became trapped beneath a float that overturned while he was riding it with other participants, police said. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital, while seven others were injured.

A float at a different event in Izumiotsu also toppled, killing a 48-year-old man who was among those trapped underneath, according to the prefectural police. He had been riding the float when it overturned. Nine others were injured.

Both accidents occurred as the “danjiri” floats were being manoeuvred around corners, the police said.

Danjiri floats are pulled through city streets entirely by human power in festivals that originated as prayers for a good harvest in the southwestern part of the prefecture. Accidents often occur during “yarimawashi”, a highlight of the parades in which the floats make turns without stopping.

On October 3, 11 people were injured when a float toppled in Sakai, another city in the southwestern part of the prefecture.