A fireworks explosion during New Year's Eve celebrations in Honolulu, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hawaiis-kilauea-volcano-erupts-lava-turns-gold-in-christmas-eruption">Hawaii</a>, has claimed the lives of at least three people and left over 20 others critically injured, according to local authorities.
The incident happened shortly after midnight local time (10:00 GMT) on Wednesday (January 1). The explosion shattered windows in nearby buildings, as per media reports.
<h2>'Looked like a war zone'</h2>
According to a report by the Associated Press, the incident happened when a bundle of aerial, mortar-style fireworks, referred to as a &ldquo;cake,&rdquo; was lit. The bundle tipped over or fell from a table, firing sideways into crates containing additional fireworks valued at tens of thousands of dollars, which then exploded.
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Honolulu Fire Chief Sheldon K. Hao said, "It looked like a war zone."
Two women were declared dead at the scene, and a third succumbed to injuries at a hospital. Several other victims were rushed to hospitals, according to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m5fc3p27-f70de4qq-o0h7zfsd">
🚨BREAKING DEADLY FIREWORKS EXPLOSION! A horrific fireworks explosion in the Salt Lake-Aliamanu neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii, resulted in the tragic loss of at least two lives and injuries to 22 others. The blast was started by a 14 year old boy after lighting a firework in&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/iHnFcKCIX8">pic.twitter.com/iHnFcKCIX8</a>
&mdash; John Cremeans USA (@JohnCremeansUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnCremeansUSA/status/1874481219079135271?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
Dr Jim Ireland, Director of Honolulu Emergency Services, said during a press briefing, "I've been in EMS for over 30 years, and this is probably one of the worst calls I've ever been on as far as the immense tragedy, and amount of patients, and severity of the injuries."
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a statement, "It is with both frustration and sorrow that I address the tragedy that occurred last night in Salt Lake just after midnight on New Year's Eve. This incident is a painful reminder of the danger posed by illegal fireworks, which put lives at risk, drain our first responder resources, and disrupt our communities."
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Hawaii Governor Josh Green also issued a statement condemning the use of unlicensed fireworks. &ldquo;Because combating illegal fireworks has been a priority, we established the Illegal Fireworks Task Force last year to identify and disrupt supply chains. It has seized 227,000 pounds [103,000kg] of illegal fireworks to date, but incidents like this remind us of the ongoing challenges we face,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;While my heart is heavy on this first day of 2025, I am deeply grateful to EMS, the Honolulu Fire Department, and the Honolulu Police Department,&rdquo; Governor Green added.
Despite strict regulations in Hawaii, social media posts showed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/abu-dhabi-creates-guinness-world-records-with-largest-fireworks-and-drone-show-on-new-year-8583036">fireworks displays</a> across Honolulu during the night. According to the Honolulu Fire Department, sparklers, fountains, and aerial fireworks are illegal without a permit, and the use of firecrackers is tightly controlled.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Two women were declared dead at the spot, while a third succumbed to injuries at a hospital. Several other victims were rushed to hospitals, according to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.

A fireworks explosion during New Year's Eve celebrations in Honolulu, Hawaii, has claimed the lives of at least three people and left over 20 others critically injured, according to local authorities. The incident happened shortly after midnight local time (10:00 GMT) on Wednesday (January 1). The explosion shattered windows in nearby buildings, as per media reports. 'Looked like a war zone' According to a report by the Associated Press, the incident happened when a bundle of aerial, mortar-style fireworks, referred to as a “cake,” was lit. The bundle tipped over or fell from a table, firing sideways into crates containing additional fireworks valued at tens of thousands of dollars, which then exploded. Also read: US Army veteran named prime suspect in Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside Trump hotel: Report Honolulu Fire Chief Sheldon K. Hao said, "It looked like a war zone." Two women were declared dead at the scene, and a third succumbed to injuries at a hospital. Several other victims were rushed to hospitals, according to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services. 🚨BREAKING DEADLY FIREWORKS EXPLOSION! A horrific fireworks explosion in the Salt Lake-Aliamanu neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii, resulted in the tragic loss of at least two lives and injuries to 22 others. The blast was started by a 14 year old boy after lighting a firework in… pic.twitter.com/iHnFcKCIX8 — John Cremeans USA (@JohnCremeansUSA) January 1, 2025 Dr Jim Ireland, Director of Honolulu Emergency Services, said during a press briefing, "I've been in EMS for over 30 years, and this is probably one of the worst calls I've ever been on as far as the immense tragedy, and amount of patients, and severity of the injuries." Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a statement, "It is with both frustration and sorrow that I address the tragedy that occurred last night in Salt Lake just after midnight on New Year's Eve. This incident is a painful reminder of the danger posed by illegal fireworks, which put lives at risk, drain our first responder resources, and disrupt our communities." Also read: ‘US is breaking down’: Trump blames open borders, Democrats after deadly New Orleans attack kills 15 Hawaii Governor Josh Green also issued a statement condemning the use of unlicensed fireworks. “Because combating illegal fireworks has been a priority, we established the Illegal Fireworks Task Force last year to identify and disrupt supply chains. It has seized 227,000 pounds [103,000kg] of illegal fireworks to date, but incidents like this remind us of the ongoing challenges we face,” he said. “While my heart is heavy on this first day of 2025, I am deeply grateful to EMS, the Honolulu Fire Department, and the Honolulu Police Department,” Governor Green added. Despite strict regulations in Hawaii, social media posts showed fireworks displays across Honolulu during the night. According to the Honolulu Fire Department, sparklers, fountains, and aerial fireworks are illegal without a permit, and the use of firecrackers is tightly controlled. (With inputs from agencies)

Hawaii fireworks explosion kills 3, injures 20 as officials describe 'war zone' aftermath

The Halawa shaft, which delivers 20 per cent of the water of Honolulu, has been shut down after the detection of the ''source of the contamination.''

The portable water system of a Navy well near Pearl Harbor found what is believed to be petroleum chemicals.

People living in the area are experiencing its adverse effects in the form of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and skin-related problems.

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According to the Navy, ''The results of the Red Hill sample showed petroleum hydrocarbons roughly four to ten times below the Hawaii Department of Health Environmental Action Level (EAL).''&nbsp;

''The Navy had a separate test that confirmed vapors, which is another indication of petroleum hydrocarbons.''

''The Navy is developing a plan to restore the potable water system to EPA standards, identify how this contaminant got in the well, and fix the well,'' he added.

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The city's Board of Water Supply (BWS) Manager and Chief Engineer Ernest Lau said "We are deeply concerned that we were not notified immediately by the Navy regarding the shutdown of their Red Hill water source."

"We have data that shows when they stop pumping at Red Hill, water starts moving in the direction of our Halawa Shaft due to our pumping," Lau said.

In the latest update, the Navy said, ''The Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, has determined Temporary Lodging (TLA) is necessary for service members and their dependents, and civilians living in housing affected by the current water-related health or safety concerns.'' 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Halawa shaft, which delivers 20 per cent of the water of Honolulu, has been shut down after the detection of the ''source of the contamination.'' The portable water system of a Navy well near Pearl Harbor found what is believed to be petroleum chemicals.

The Halawa shaft, which delivers 20 per cent of the water of Honolulu, has been shut down after the detection of the ''source of the contamination.'' The portable water system of a Navy well near Pearl Harbor found what is believed to be petroleum chemicals. People living in the area are experiencing its adverse effects in the form of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and skin-related problems. Also read | Why did Russia sell Alaska to the United States? According to the Navy, ''The results of the Red Hill sample showed petroleum hydrocarbons roughly four to ten times below the Hawaii Department of Health Environmental Action Level (EAL).'' ''The Navy had a separate test that confirmed vapors, which is another indication of petroleum hydrocarbons.'' ''The Navy is developing a plan to restore the potable water system to EPA standards, identify how this contaminant got in the well, and fix the well,'' he added. Also see | From the hottest month to biggest airlift: Here are the biggest records of 2021 The city's Board of Water Supply (BWS) Manager and Chief Engineer Ernest Lau said "We are deeply concerned that we were not notified immediately by the Navy regarding the shutdown of their Red Hill water source." "We have data that shows when they stop pumping at Red Hill, water starts moving in the direction of our Halawa Shaft due to our pumping," Lau said. In the latest update, the Navy said, ''The Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, has determined Temporary Lodging (TLA) is necessary for service members and their dependents, and civilians living in housing affected by the current water-related health or safety concerns.'' (With inputs from agencies)

Largest water source for Honolulu gets shut down after contamination

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Hawaii fireworks explosion kills 3, injures 20 as officials describe 'war zone' aftermath

Largest water source for Honolulu gets shut down after contamination