Saijo City Vice Mayor dies under 3-ton festival float

Akihiro Nambae, the 62-year-old Vice Mayor of Saijo City in Ehime Prefecture, died following an accident during the traditional Saijo Festival on October 17. Nambae, who had been appointed to the position in July, was participating as a carrier for a ‘taiko-dai’, a massive festival float.

The accident occurred at a riverbed near Iizumi Shrine during a ‘kakikurabe’ event, where participants compete by lifting and shaking the floats. Witnesses reported that the float, which stands approximately 5.5 meters tall and weighs between 2 and 3 tons, lost balance and fell on Nambae. He was found unconscious by security personnel and transported to a hospital in Niihama City, where he was pronounced dead approximately one hour later.

Saijo Mayor Mitsuyoshi Ochi expressed deep sorrow over the sudden loss, noting that Nambae had only been in office for about three months. Local police are currently investigating the specific circumstances and cause of the accident.