A multitude of fireworks caused three deaths and inflicted very serious injuries on at least 20 people in the area of Honolulu, Hawaii, on New Year’s Eve, according to American media.
The explosion occurred very close to a house, the Honolulu Fire Department said in a statement Wednesday.
The residence is near the Honolulu International Airport, CBS News said.
Two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, the city’s emergency medical services confirmed. The other victims were transported to a hospital in critical condition. This is where the third death was confirmed.
Several children under the age of 10 are among the injured.
Firefighters remain upset by this event.
“It looked like a war zone,” Fire Department Chief Sheldon K. Hao told CBS News.
“I work in [ce milieu] for 30 years and this is probably one of the worst calls I have responded to, due to […] of the number of patients and the severity of the injuries,” added the Dr Jim Ireland, the director of the Honolulu Department of Emergency Services.
According to initial information from the city’s police chief, a person who participated in the New Year’s Eve festivities lit several fireworks that were in a container in an alley next to the house.
The container then allegedly fell on its side, activating the fireworks which, in turn, hit other crates. These also had fireworks, which caused an explosion.
An investigation is underway to determine the causes and circumstances of the event.
