OSAKA, Japan — Two men were killed and 16 others suffered injuries in two separate accidents during traditional Danjiri float festivals in Osaka Prefecture, local authorities reported.
The fatal incidents occurred during the “yarimawashi” performance, a major highlight of the autumn festival where large wooden floats are pulled through streets and around corners at high speeds by teams of participants.
Tragic Incidents in Izumisano and Izumiotsu
According to the Osaka Prefectural Police department, the first accident took place in the city of Izumisano at an intersection. A danjiri float, which typically weighs around four tons and stands four meters tall, lost balance and toppled over while making a sharp right turn. A 51-year-old company executive from the city became trapped beneath the heavy wooden structure. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was later pronounced dead. Seven other male participants aged between 10 and 59 sustained injuries in the same mishap.
2 men CRUSHED TO DEATH as 2 separate shrine floats topple over during traditional Danjiri festival in Japan pic.twitter.com/cVs1Ry00pu
— RTVisual (@RT_Visual_on_X) October 10, 2026
Just hours later, a second fatal incident occurred in the neighboring city of Izumiotsu. Another festival float overturned while negotiating a right turn at an intersection, crushing a 48-year-old corporate worker from the nearby city of Izumi. Nine other male participants suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police confirmed that no spectators were hurt in either incident.
The High Risks of a Centuries-Old Tradition
The Danjiri festivals have a history spanning over 300 years, originating as spiritual prayers for a bountiful harvest. The core thrill of the event relies entirely on human power, as dozens of locals pull the massive, intricately carved structures at full velocity.
During the dangerous “yarimawashi” corner turns, designated neighborhood representatives ride on the sides or dance atop the roofs of the floats to help balance the weight. Investigators believe the victims lost their footing and balance while trying to prevent the top-heavy structures from flipping over during these high-speed maneuvers.
Local authorities are conducting a detailed investigation into the safety protocols of both events. These accidents follow a similar mishap that injured 11 people when a danjiri float overturned in the nearby city of Sakai.