At least four people were killed and over 20 others were injured when illegal fireworks exploded at a residence in Hawaii almost exactly at midnight on New Year’s Day.
First responders said they received 911 calls at a minute to midnight, as videos online show the sky over the Salt Lake-Aliamanu neighborhood of Honolulu lighting up in a massive explosion.
According to Hawaii News Now, two persons were reported dead at the site, and the death toll eventually rose to four.
According to officials, at least 18 more people were hospitalized, while some are still fighting for their lives. Rescuers reported that the fireworks burst outside a home, with Mayor Rick Blangiardi blaming “illegal fireworks.”
“It is with frustration and sorrow that I address the tragedy,” the mayor told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
“A massive explosion caused by what appears to be illegal fireworks claimed at least three lives,” he stated — before the figure climbed to four — and “left over 20 others critically injured.” “This incident is a painful reminder of the danger posed by illegal fireworks, which put lives at risk, drain our first responder resources, and disrupt our communities.”
Officials have yet to explain exactly how the fireworks exploded.
A local told Hawaii News Now that he heard a low explosion before seeing first responders arrive on the area.
“I heard what seemed to be a low blast and I turned my phone to see what was going on and it was a low blast and then five to 10 minutes later a lot of commotion ambulance, fire, police,” according to the man. “It was pretty tragic.”
Emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene and treated individuals with the most severe injuries before transporting them to local trauma hospitals.
Honolulu EMS Director Jim Ireland described the incident as “nothing I have ever seen in EMS.”
“Some of the folks who were here who have been to war, who have been in combat, said it reminded them of things they have seen in combat,” Ireland told the crowd.
The casualties included burns and “blast-type injuries,” according to officials. Hours after the tragedy, Honolulu police stated that the “scene remains closed” and that an investigation into the occurrence was ongoing.
Multiple 911 calls were made in Honolulu for fireworks-related injuries beginning just before 10 p.m. and lasting until after midnight, including one for a 14-year-old boy who injured his hand when a firework went off while he was holding it.
According to Newsweek, medical personnel on the site believe the fatal incident began when a 14-year-old boy’s hand was struck by a firecracker.
Reference: 4 dead, more than 20 injured in New Year’s fireworks-related incident in Hawaii
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