AT least 47 people have been injured after fireworks accidentally exploded into the crowd at a popular town festival in northern Spain.
Three men, aged 54, 53 and 41, were taken to hospital with severe burns to their hands and feet following the incident in Noain, south of Pamplona in Navarra, at around 12pm on Wednesday.
The remaining 44 were treated on site for ear pain, minor burns and other non-life-threatening injuries, according to Spanish media reports.
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It came as hundreds of people gathered in the Plaza de los Fueros to watch the popular fireworks display, which marked the official beginning of the town’s annual Fiestas de Noain.
Mikel Navarro, the mayor of Noain, told Spanish broadcaster Cope: “It was scary, really scary.
“The first rocket went off normally, but the second one got out of control.”
“We had to set up a small field hospital to treat all the injured,” he added.
Navarro explained that the fireworks were being launched from the town hall balcony, which overlooks the Plaza de los Fueros.
According to the mayor’s account, one of the rockets accidentally set fire to part of the remaining stash, with fireworks quickly shooting off in multiple directions.
Video shows terrified revellers fleeing as smoke rises from the town hall balcony and the square, with police and medics quickly rushing in afterwards.
Local and regional authorities showered emergency services with praise, with Navarro singling out local firefighters and the Red Cross.
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“It now seems that everything is under control, and we hope the festivities can continue as normal, which is what we want,” the mayor added.
The fireworks display, known as the chupinazo, was the first in a series of events set to take place in Noain between August 26 and 30.
Dating back nearly 120 years, the festival is held every annually in honour of San Miguel, the town’s patron saint.
The festivities are set to continue for five days, with this year’s programme including marching bands, food stalls, concerts, sports contests and children’s activities.
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