SAKAI - Eleven men were injured and three seriously wounded when a danjiri float toppled over in this southern Osaka Prefecture city early April 16.
The float was being hauled in Minami ward in Sakai province when it lost balance after making a right turn at an intersection, according to prefectural police and the municipality's fire bureau.
The upper left part of the float 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 between 16 and 46.
Many of the injured were trapped underneath the float, the hospital said. There were several people 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 repair, was consecrated by a priest at a ceremony in a nearby shrine and was on its way to the Hinoo district to be shown off to residents.
Accidents often occur at danjiri-pulling festivals, sometimes resulting in deaths.
The incident has been investigated by police, according to a police spokesman.