3 Killed, 20 Injured in New Year’s Eve Fireworks Explosion in Hawaii: ‘Immense Tragedy’

A New Year’s Eve fireworks explosion in Honolulu killed at least three people and critically injured more than 20 others, authorities say.

Honolulu emergency services department director Jim Ireland said at a news conference that the accident, which occurred just before midnight, was “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 stated, “We are angry, frustrated, and deeply saddened at this unnecessary suffering and loss of life.”

“This incident is a painful reminder of the danger of illegal fireworks, which put lives at risk, drain our first responder resources, and disrupt our communities,” he continued, adding, “What a tragic way to start off the new year.”

Hawaii governor Josh Green spoke of his “heartbreak,” at the incident, describing the explosive used as a “cake bomb” — a term for a homemade explosive device.

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ABC News reports that those injured have “burn and blast wounds” and say the “massive explosions” were caused by “illegal fireworks.” The outlet added that first responders at the scene were reminded of combat wounds because of the severity of the injuries. 

Identities of the victims are yet to be released, per CNN. The outlet also reported home fireworks being set off over large sections of the city on New Year’s Eve, adding that there were four other serious firework injuries on the night in question which were unrelated to the blast.

The neighborhood where the explosion took place is near Honolulu’s international airport and a joint US Air Force and navy base, per The Guardian. It is just two miles east of the USS Arizona memorial, which honors sailors who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. 

PEOPLE did not immediately hear back from the Honolulu fire department when an update was requested.