SAKAI - Eleven men were injured, three seriously, when a danjiri float toppled over in this southern Osaka Prefecture city early April 16.
The float was being hauled in Minami Ward, where it lost balance after making a right turn at an intersection, according to prefectural police and the municipality's fire bureau.
The float's upper left part brushed a roadside sign, causing it to fall on its right side.
Three men, aged 44 to 49, were hospitalized with broken legs and other serious injuries. The other eight are aged between 16 and 46.
Many of the injured were trapped in the water below the float. Some were riding on the structure when it toppled over.
About 140 people were pulling the float or riding on it, according to Takashi Kubo, head of the neighborhood community association in the Hinoo district.
The float, which had undergone repairs, was consecrated by a priest at a ceremony in a nearby shrine and on its way to the Hinoo district to be shown off to residents.
Accidents occur frequently in danjiri-pulling festivals, sometimes resulting in fatalities.
The incident has been investigated by police.