Saijo deputy mayor dies beneath festival float in Ehime
In short
Saijo Deputy Mayor Akihiro Nabae (難波江明広), 62, died after being trapped beneath a festival float on October 17 in Ehime prefecture. He was taking part as a float carrier, and police are investigating the circumstances.
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Saijo Deputy Mayor Akihiro Nabae (難波江明広), 62, died after being trapped beneath a large festival float in Ehime prefecture on October 17, local news outlets reported. He was participating as one of the carriers of a taikodai float during the Saijo festival when the accident occurred. Ehime prefectural police are investigating how he came to be trapped beneath it. [ 2 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 13 ]
The incident took place on the Uzui River riverbank in the city's Shimoshimayama area. TBS reported that the site was south of Iizumi Shrine and that Nabae was helping carry the Otani float. A police officer providing security saw festival participants carrying him out, according to the broadcaster. He was unconscious when transported to a hospital in Niihama and was pronounced dead about an hour later. [ 7 ]
Reports differ slightly on the time. Asahi and Yomiuri placed the incident at about 5:45 p.m., while Tokyo Shimbun and Nippon TV gave about 5:50 p.m. The floats weigh roughly two to three tonnes, according to TBS, Yomiuri and Nippon TV. Yomiuri reported that they stand around 5.3 metres high. Eleven floats were taking part in a kakikurabe display, in which carriers lift them overhead, according to Asahi. [ 2 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 13 ]
The city website describes Saijo's traditional autumn festival as an expression of thanks for an abundant harvest that dates to the Edo period, according to Tokyo Shimbun and Asahi. Nabae had previously headed municipal departments including agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Asahi reported that he retired from city employment in June and became deputy mayor on July 1. In a statement carried by TBS, the mayor expressed deep sorrow and said city staff would work together to overcome the difficulty. [ 2 , 7 , 9 , 13 ]
Why it matters
Nabae had taken office as deputy mayor in July. The city's mayor expressed grief over his death and said city staff would work together to overcome the difficulty.
Key facts
- Deputy Mayor Akihiro Nabae, 62, died after being trapped beneath a taikodai festival float. [ 2 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 13 ]
- He was participating as a carrier during the Saijo festival. [ 2 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]
- The incident occurred on the Uzui River riverbank in Saijo on October 17. [ 7 , 9 , 13 ]
- He was taken to hospital and pronounced dead about an hour later. [ 2 , 7 , 9 , 13 ]
- Police are investigating the circumstances. [ 2 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- What caused the float to fall and trap Nabae. Police are investigating; the reports do not establish the cause.
- The precise time of the incident. Some reports give about 5:45 p.m., while others give about 5:50 p.m.