A New Year’s Eve Fireworks Explosion in Honolulu Kills 3, Injures 20
A massive fireworks explosion in a Honolulu neighborhood on New Year’s Eve has claimed the lives of at least three people and injured 20 others, authorities have confirmed.
The incident occurred just before midnight outside a home in the Honolulu area, near the city’s international airport and a joint U.S. Air Force and Navy base. The neighborhood is also located less than 2 miles east of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, which honors sailors who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor that drew the U.S. into World War II.
Two people were pronounced dead at the scene, while the remaining 20 victims were rushed to hospitals. Dr. Jim Ireland, Director of Honolulu Emergency Services, described the scene as “one of the worst calls I’ve ever been on” in his three decades on the job, citing the severity of the injuries.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi put the death toll at three and reported that more than 20 people were injured critically. He believes the incident is a “painful reminder of the danger of illegal fireworks, which put lives at risk, drain our first responder resources, and disrupt our communities.”
The Honolulu Fire Department is investigating the cause of the blast, but so far, no details have been released. The department has reported that there was no fire at the home, and the victims’ identities have not been made public. Meanwhile, several social media users posted videos of home fireworks being set off across the city, with four other serious fireworks-related injuries reported unrelated to the blast.