A traditional festival in Japan has ended in tragedy after Saijo Japan Deputy Mayor Akihiro Nabae was crushed by a large festival float. The 62-year-old died on Saturday following the accident during the Saijo Festival in Ehime Prefecture.
Reports said Nabae was among those carrying the float when the incident occurred on a riverbed in the city at about 5:45 p.m. He was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead about an hour later. Police said no other person was injured, while the Saijo Police Station has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
The float, known as a taikodai, was about 5.3 metres tall and weighed between two and three tonnes. The accident happened during kakikurabe, a traditional contest in which teams demonstrate their strength and skill in moving heavy floats. Saijo Mayor Mitsuyoshi Ochi expressed shock over Nabae’s death, noting that they had been preparing to work together on the city’s administration. Nabae had previously served as director of the city’s environmental department before becoming deputy mayor in July.
