Three people were killed and more than 20 injured in a fireworks demonstration in Hawaii on New Year's Day. Authorities said the horrifying explosion compared the carnage to a “war zone.”
A fireworks demonstration took place in Honolulu's Salt Lake neighborhood just after midnight Wednesday.
“It really looked like a war zone, like a bomb had been dropped in front of the house.”
Honolulu Police Chief Joe Rogan said, “Based on the preliminary investigation, nearby surveillance footage, evidence at the scene, and witness statements, it appears that a party attendee lit the air cake on fire shortly after midnight. Multiple aerial fireworks — What was the explosion we saw in multiple media outlets and social media posts at this moment as the cake fell on its side in the carport driveway and was shot from the air into a wooden box that contained more fireworks? . Time.
aerial photography drone picture The moment of the explosion was captured.
The explosion caused damage Both at the house where fireworks were being set off and at the house across the street.
“It really looked like a war zone and it looked like a bomb had been dropped in front of the house,” Honolulu Fire Chief Kalani Hao said.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green said the victims suffered “the worst possible battlefield injuries” and were in such bad condition that “the sheer force of this explosion caused brain matter to be transferred across the sidewalk.” It flew in,” he said.
Green added: “We want people to hear that, because that's what can actually happen with explosive fireworks. Some of the people who have died have had very tragic and traumatic injuries. We are talking about the worst possible injuries that could have hit them on the battlefield.'' It's alive. ”
More than a dozen ambulances responded and first responders closed off nearby roads to set up a triage center.
More than 20 people were injured and taken to area hospitals. Some were listed in critical condition. Quoting the city's emergency medical services: Hawaii News Now Three children were injured in what authorities are calling a “mass casualty incident.”
green added“It's not just losing a finger, it's a very grotesque event and there's a good chance that in the next few days some of the people who didn't look too bad will die from their lungs burning out. And that's it. I happened to witness an explosion happening right in front of me.”
According to honolulu star advertiserGreen said two of the seriously injured victims were children, ages 1 and 3, and their injuries could result in permanent damage or death.
“We didn't actually transport many patients with minor injuries, but we do remember a 12-year-old girl who had burns on her leg and was littered with shrapnel,” said Dr. Jim Ireland, director of emergency medical services for the city. ” he said.
Ireland said of his injuries: “It's really, really sad. There's nothing I saw in the ambulance. Some of the people here who went to war or were in combat remember what they saw in the ambulance. Some people said that,” he said. battle. “
Police said two women were pronounced dead at the scene, and a third woman later succumbed to her injuries at a hospital. The identity of the victim has not been released.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said, “Enough is enough.”
“A person who is not a professional fireworks professional as far as I know suffered a tragic loss here.”
“A massive explosion caused by what appears to be illegal fireworks has claimed the lives of at least three people and seriously injured more than 20 others,” Blangiardi said in a statement. “This incident is a painful reminder of the dangers posed by illegal fireworks, which endanger lives, deplete first responders, and disrupt communities.”
Blangiardi vowed to work with federal and state authorities to “stop this illegal fireworks trade once and for all.”
“We will push for stronger enforcement, tougher penalties, new technology and a concerted effort to stop the importation of illegal fireworks,” Blangiardi said. “Our community deserves better. We cannot allow this senseless risk to continue. We will take decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of Oahu residents.”
Governor Green added, “Fighting illegal fireworks is a top priority, which is why we established the Illegal Fireworks Task Force in 2023 to identify and disrupt the supply chain. To date, the task force has We seized 7,000 pounds of illegal fireworks, and incidents like this remind us of the harm illegal fireworks can cause.” The continuing challenges we face. ”
Hawaii's governor urged residents to report illegal fireworks activity to authorities.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting Honolulu Police with the investigation.
Honolulu Police Chief Logan said authorities have not yet determined whether those involved will face criminal charges.
“We have someone here who is not a professional fireworks professional as far as I know, and here we have a tragic loss,” Logan said.
Logan noted that HPD's Special Services Division Bomb Squad recovered additional fireworks that did not explode on the premises.
Hawaii State Law “Any person who purchases, possesses, stores, ignites, ignites, or discharges any aerial device, display fireworks, or pyrotechnics without a valid pyrotechnic permit may be charged with a Class C felony.'' “If convicted, he could be sentenced to five years in prison.''
“People who ignite aerial fireworks should remember that they are not only endangering their own lives, but also the lives of nearby loved ones and possibly their neighbors,” Hawaii Police told the public on Dec. 30. warned.
You can view the video report here About fireworks exploding.
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