Fireworks Accident Sets Barge on Fire: Video

A fireworks fire ended with a disaster on Monday evening after a barge broke out in flames off the coast of Yokohama, Japan.

Nowsweek contacted the fifth regional registered office of the Japanese coastal guard for comment by e-mail.

Why it matters

The incident took place towards the end of the Minato Mirai Mirai Mirai Smart Festival, an event designed to promote local businesses and stimulate Yokohama’s international profile. According to the festival website, the event presented the launch of around 20,000 fireworks in 25 minutes.

What to know

The authorities received an emergency call around 7:55 p.m., signaling smoke rising from the seafront, Jiji Press reported.

One of the barges serving as a launch platform for fireworks had caught fire. The five workers on board jumped into the sea and were rescued by the Coast Guard, one being transported to hospital with minor injuries.

No other injury has been reported.

The fire also spread to a nearby ship, although there are no crew members on board at the time.

The event organizers said that the fire had been caused when the machine launching fireworks worked badly.

Circulating online images show light streams of sparks and large plumes of smoke flowing from the ship while a fire spreads on the bridge of the struck barge.

The incident remembers a similar fire that broke out on a barge to transport fireworks to Marblehead, Massachusetts, early on July 4, 2024. The accidental fire led to the cancellation of the celebration of the day of the independence of the city later in the day.

What people say

The organizers of the Minato Mira Smart Festival wrote on Facebook: “As an organizing committee for the display of fireworks, we will first investigate the cause. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to all those who are impatiently awaiting this display of fireworks each year.”

A Japanese surfer wrote on X Tuesday: “Even now, after 12:30 p.m., the fireworks that have become uncontrollable continue to explode.”

Another user x wrote: “An unexpected turn of events … Fire steals the spotlight of fireworks. I hope everything is fine.”

A third user wrote on the platform: “The fireworks should no longer be triggered in the middle of a city like this. It is a little mercy that no one was injured. If things had gone wrong, there is a chance that all Yokohama could have been swallowed up in the flames, which is terrifying.”

What happens next

Kanagawa prefecture police continue to investigate the incident, according to Jiji Press.