NOÁIN, Spain – A total of 47 people were injured by the explosion of pyrotechnic material on the balcony of the town hall in the Navarrese town of Noáin during the opening of its patron saint festival on Wednesday, with several rockets reportedly exploding among the crowd gathered in the Plaza de los Fueros. According to local media, the fuses of rockets intended to be launched subsequently ignited from the sparks of the first rockets fired, causing three of them to shoot downward and explode among the crowd below.
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The Security Councillor, Luis Maya, explained that after the first rocket of the chupinazo was launched, the rest ignited during the launch of the second because the employee in charge was holding them all in his hand. “Among so many people, whether through carelessness or a shove, all the rockets ignited at once with the fuse and exploded on the town hall balcony, which was completely full,” Maya stated, adding that the plenary hall was set up as a field hospital to treat the injured.
The incident occurred around 12:00 p.m., and emergency services including firefighters, advanced life support ambulances, basic life support ambulances, and medical teams were mobilised to the scene, with Local Police, Foral Police, and Civil Guard officers also present. Witnesses described the explosion as causing great distress and moments of confusion both on the balcony and in the square, with nothing but smoke and noise everywhere.
Three men aged 53, 54, and 41 were transferred to the University Hospital of Navarra with burns and are currently being evaluated, while the remaining injured sustained minor injuries and attended the health centre on their own, according to Navarre emergency services. The Civil Guard has taken charge of the investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the accident.
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The President of the Government of Navarre, María Chivite, offered support and collaboration to the mayor of Noáin following the pyrotechnic accident and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The municipality confirmed that the festival continues with complete normality after the emergency was attended to and safety was guaranteed, while also issuing a message of reassurance to all citizens, particularly those affected and their families. The town hall expressed gratitude for the collaboration and understanding of all residents and visitors.
