In a tragic New Year’s Eve incident, a fireworks explosion in a Honolulu neighborhood has left at least three people dead and more than 20 others critically injured. The blast, which occurred just before midnight, has been described by authorities as resembling a “war zone.”
The incident took place near Honolulu’s international airport, just miles from the historic U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, and sent shockwaves through the community.
Honolulu Fire Chief Sheldon K. Hao said the scene was overwhelming, with emergency responders working tirelessly to assist victims. Two individuals were declared dead at the scene, while the rest were rushed to local hospitals. Honolulu Emergency Services Department Director Dr. Jim Ireland, who has more than 30 years of experience, expressed disbelief at the scale of the tragedy.
Hawaii’s Governor, Josh Green, shared that several of the victims were young children under the age of 10, and described the blast as being so powerful it resembled a bomb.
Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan confirmed the cause of the explosion: an aerial fireworks display went awry when one of the fireworks misfired, causing a chain reaction that ignited nearby caches of fireworks, resulting in the deadly blast.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi condemned the use of illegal fireworks, noting the immense risk they pose to public safety, emergency resources, and communities. The incident serves as a painful reminder of the dangers associated with illicit fireworks and the devastating impact they can have.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, and there have been reports of other serious fireworks-related injuries in the city.
