EHIME –
The deputy mayor of Saijo City in Ehime Prefecture died after being crushed beneath a pageant float weighing roughly 3 tons whereas taking part in a standard autumn pageant on October 17.
According to police, Akihiro Nabae, 62, was trapped beneath a taikodai, a big conventional pageant float, at round 5:50 p.m. on a riverbank close to Iizumi Shrine in Saijo. He was rushed to a hospital however was pronounced lifeless roughly one hour later.
At the time of the accident, 11 taikodai floats, every weighing round 3 tons, had gathered for a “kakikurabe,” a standard competitors by which groups of members raise and carry the huge floats as a spotlight of the pageant.
Nabae was collaborating within the occasion as one of many float bearers when the accident occurred.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, together with how Nabae grew to become trapped beneath the heavy construction.
Nabae had solely lately taken workplace as deputy mayor, having assumed the place in July 2026.
Saijo Mayor Mitsuyoshi Ochi expressed shock on the sudden demise, saying, “It happened so suddenly that I still cannot believe it. I sincerely pray for his soul to rest in peace.”
Source: FNN