A deputy mayor in western Japan died after being crushed under a giant float during a local parade, officials said on Monday, a week after two others were reportedly killed at separate traditional festivals.
Akihiro Nabae, deputy mayor of the city of Saijo in the Ehime region, was carrying a giant float with other participants on Saturday before becoming trapped beneath it, city and police officials said.
He was taken to hospital and later pronounced dead, local media said.
The exact circumstances that led to his death – including “whether the float fell down or he somehow lost his balance” – remain under investigation, Makoto Hagiyama, deputy director of a local police station, said.